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3. Hezbollah Challenges Security Council Visit, Army Acts on UNIFIL Attack

The 15 UN Security Council ambassadors visiting Lebanon received reactions to Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem’s recent speech. In it, he opposed the appointment of Simon Karam as head of Lebanon’s negotiating delegation with Israel and reiterated the group’s refusal to disarm, saying that any impact would be limited to the area south of the Litani River.

Diplomatic sources said the statement surprised the ambassadors, particularly as it contradicted what they had heard from President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. More importantly, it conflicts with UN resolutions 1701 and 1559, as well as the existing ceasefire agreement.

The ambassadors reportedly questioned how a government that, on August 5, decided to maintain exclusive control of weapons across the country could allow Hezbollah, represented within that government, to continue discussing the expansion of its arsenal and preparations to respond to Israeli attacks. These actions were seen as defying government decisions and attempting to revive a reality that ended after the last war.

The ambassadors also focused on an incident that occurred on the eve of their visit, when armed Hezbollah members fired on a UNIFIL patrol in the Bint Jbeil area. One vehicle was hit, but there were no casualties.

Diplomatic sources stressed that Lebanon, which continues to seek international guarantees for the south and a potential replacement for UNIFIL, must conduct a thorough investigation and hold the attackers accountable. Doing so would send a clear message to the international community that the state maintains control over security on its territory and is committed to enforcing the ceasefire and relevant UN resolutions. The incident took place south of the Litani River, where the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) continue efforts to clear the area of weapons and armed groups.

Sources warned that Lebanese authorities should not treat this incident with the same leniency as previous similar events. A decisive response would signal that Lebanon has entered a new phase focused on asserting state authority.

In response to these international observations, the LAF swiftly acted, arresting six suspects involved in the attack on the UNIFIL patrol. This marks the first such development since the ceasefire, and the suspects have been referred to the competent judiciary.

Sources indicated that upon returning to New York, UN Security Council ambassadors will hold several closed-door sessions to review their observations from Lebanon and develop a realistic, balanced assessment of the situation. Their discussions could inform future decisions regarding Lebanon, including a potential replacement for UNIFIL or a mechanism to ensure an international presence south of the Litani River. Such measures may not directly go through the Security Council but could be backed by the five permanent member states, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, both of which maintain permanent coordination with Israel.