UNIFIL Force Commander says 1701 remains key to stability and peace in south Lebanon

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara said principles of Security Council Resolution 1701 – adopted exactly two decades ago and which forms basis of UNIFIL’s mandate – remain the cornerstone of efforts to preserve stability in south Lebanon and support peace in the region.

Speaking during a commemorative ceremony at UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura, Major General Abagnara said that, in a changing and increasingly complex regional environment, “the principles of Resolution 1701 are more relevant than ever.”

“Resolution 1701 is far more than the legal basis of our mandate. It is the framework that guides every patrol, every liaison meeting, every coordinated activity with the Lebanese Armed Forces and every engagement with local communities,” he said. “For our mission, Resolution 1701 remains our compass, guiding our actions, our decisions and our commitment to peace every single day.”

Adopted on 11 August 2006, Resolution 1701 ended that year’s hostilities and established a framework aimed at achieving a lasting peace along the Blue Line and a permanent ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. UNIFIL continues to support the parties in fulfilment of their obligations under this resolution.

The UNIFIL Force Commander noted that “true strength” of the resolution is not measured by the words written 20 years ago but by “the actions, the commitment and the dialogue that continue to bring those words to life.”

At Tuesday's ceremony, Abagnara led tribute to seven peacekeepers who lost their lives in the line of duty amidst hostilities in recent months. He unveiled a commemorative plaque and planted a tree for each of the seven fallen peacekeepers.

“These were not simply ceremonial acts,” Abagnara said. “They represented a journey, from memory, to responsibility, to hope.”

A total of 346 UNIFIL peacekeepers have lost their lives while serving in support of peace and stability in southern Lebanon since 1978. Eighty-nine of these peacekeepers died since the adoption of Resolution 1701 in 2006.

The UNIFIL head noted that the sacrifice of fallen peacekeepers serves as a reminder that the values underpinning peacekeeping require courage, commitment and selfless service.

Reflecting on the symbolism of tree planting, the Force Commander said peace, like nature, must be nurtured and sustained over time.

“The tree looks to the future. It reminds us that peace, like nature, cannot simply be declared, it must be cultivated. It requires strong roots, constant care and patience,” he said. “May the values of dialogue, cooperation and hope continue to grow, just as the trees we planted today, for the benefit of Lebanon, the region and the generations to come.”