united nations

Resolution 1680: A Turning Point for Lebanese Sovereignty

On May 17, 2006, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1680, a decisive text aimed at strengthening Lebanon's independence and normalizing its relations with Syria. This resolution, lesser-known than the spotlight-stealing Resolutions 1701 and 1559, deserves our attention if we are to understand the current dynamics between these ...

Mandolesi: UNIFIL's Cooperation with Lebanese Army Key to Maintaining Peace

In a statement during a university workshop in Tyre on Wednesday, the commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) West Sector, Nicola Mandolesi, emphasized the critical role of UNIFIL's presence “in maintaining peace and stability” in Lebanon. He noted that “cooperation with local communities and the Lebanese Armed ...

Lebanese Parliamentary Committee Pushes for Direct Security Coordination with Syria Amid Border Clashes

The Lebanese Parliament’s National Defense, Interior and Municipalities Committee has proposed sending a high-level delegation to Syria on Tuesday, to enhance direct coordination and prevent further border escalation. The delegation would include Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef Rajji, Defense Minister Michel Menassa and top security ...

UN Envoy Calls for Urgent Diplomacy as ‘Cautious Optimism’ Surrounds Lebanon’s Stability

The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, expressed “cautious optimism” regarding Lebanon’s political and security situation during her briefing to the UN Security Council on Monday. Hennis-Plasschaert welcomed the formation of Lebanon’s new government and its ministerial program. She also ...

Syrians Commemorate Uprising Anniversary for First time since Assad's Fall

Syrians gathered on Saturday to commemorate the 14th anniversary of their uprising in public demonstrations in Damascus for the first time since president Bashar al-Assad was toppled. The demonstration in Damascus's Umayyad Square is the first in the capital after years of repression under Assad, during which the square was the sole preserve of ...

Armistice, Normalization, Peace: What Are the Differences?

Whenever an agreement—whether purely technical or otherwise—between Lebanon and Israel is discussed, confusion arises, often followed by accusations and excessive speculation. Many Lebanese tend to mix up and confuse the terms "armistice," "normalization," and "peace." This makes it necessary to clarify the differences between these three ...

UN Security Council Urges Syria to Protect All People Regardless of Religion or Ethnicity

The UN Security Council on Friday condemned recent massacres of civilians in Syria and urged its transitional authorities to respect all people regardless of religion or ethnicity. In a statement, the council said it condemned widespread violence in western Syria since March 6 that has included "mass killings of civilians," particularly among the ...

Mass Layoffs at UN Migration Agency as US Aid Cuts Take Toll

The UN migration agency, which has been hit hard by US foreign aid cuts, has launched more mass layoffs, impacting around a fifth of staff at its Geneva headquarters, employees said Friday. Fresh cuts at the International Organization for Migration are expected to impact at least 20 percent of the more than 1,000 current headquarters staff, ...

March 14: 20 Years Later, Revisiting a Defining Moment

On March 14, 2005, a human tidal wave flooded Martyrs' Square. Lebanese people of all faiths gathered around a single cause: rising up against the Syrian occupation of Lebanon, one month after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. It was a first in the history of independent Lebanon. Today, the 20th commemoration has a new ...

EU Calls for 'Justice' After Syria Violence

The EU has welcomed Syria's establishment of a fact-finding committee to investigate a recent wave of deadly violence, calling for perpetrators to be "brought to justice". "We strongly condemn the attacks by pro-Assad militias against security forces," the EU said in a statement released late Tuesday. "We also condemn in the strongest terms the ...