The members of the Security Council condemned “in the strongest terms” the April 18 attack against UNIFIL (the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), in which a French peacekeeper was killed and three others were injured, two of them seriously.
In a press statement, Council members expressed their “deepest condolences and sympathy” to the families and relatives of the victims, as well as their solidarity with France, and expressed their condolences to the United Nations.
They also wished the wounded a "speedy and full recovery" and paid tribute to "the dedication and service of all United Nations peacekeepers who risk their lives in the service of international peace and security," while expressing deep gratitude to the countries contributing troops to the mission.
The Council members reiterated their “full support” for UNIFIL and called on all parties to take all necessary measures to ensure “the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and facilities, as well as the mission’s freedom of movement”, in accordance with international law. They stressed that peacekeepers “should never be the target of attack”.
At the same time, they called on the United Nations to “expeditiously investigate the attack through UNIFIL” and keep the troop-contributing country informed, in accordance with Security Council resolutions 2518 (2020) and 2589 (2021), demanding that those responsible “be held accountable without delay.”
The Security Council also called on the international community to strengthen its support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, including materials, equipment and financing, to ensure their effective and sustainable deployment south of the Litani River and to strengthen their capacity to implement Resolution 1701.
The statement concludes by calling on all parties to fully implement Resolution 1701 and fulfill the April 16 cessation of hostilities, reaffirming the Council's "strong commitment" to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Lebanon.
