NEW YORK: Pakistan has urged Israel to withdraw from Lebanese and Syrian territories, including the Golan Heights, and called for unhindered operations of UN peacekeeping forces to ensure compliance with international agreements aimed at fostering lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.
Addressing the UN Security Council (UNSC), Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Munir Akram, expressed deep concern over the escalating threats faced by UN peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The remarks followed a briefing to the 15-member Council by senior UN peacekeeping officials on recent developments in Lebanon and the occupied Syrian Golan, as well as the challenges encountered by UN “blue helmets” in the region. The briefing was led by UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Major General Patrick Gauchat, the Head of UNTSO, who is temporarily overseeing the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights.
Lacroix, currently in Lebanon with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, visited UNIFIL’s operational area along the Blue Line border separating Lebanon and Israel.
Ambassador Akram strongly condemned Israel’s continued aggression in Syrian territories and its unlawful military presence in areas designated for separation under the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. He emphasized that the agreement is binding and must be upheld without exception, stating that only UNDOF should maintain a military presence in those areas. “Any unilateral actions undermining this agreement are unacceptable,” he asserted.
The envoy also acknowledged the vital role of UNIFIL in maintaining stability in Southern Lebanon under Security Council Resolution 1701 and welcomed the cessation of hostilities agreement between Lebanon and Israel reached on November 26, 2024. He supported Lebanese efforts to uphold this arrangement while raising concerns about ongoing violations by Israeli forces, including airspace breaches, airstrikes, and restrictions on UNIFIL’s mobility.
“Israel must adhere to the 60-day timeline stipulated in the arrangement and complete its withdrawal from Southern Lebanon,” Ambassador Akram stated. He urged that any security concerns be addressed through appropriate mechanisms, such as UNIFIL, rather than unilateral violations of Resolution 1701 and the arrangement.
He further emphasized the need for unrestricted freedom of movement for UNIFIL and the full deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to ensure security and stability in the region.
The Pakistani envoy called on the Security Council to fully implement the mandates of both UNDOF and UNIFIL, urging sustained support for these missions. He stressed the importance of equipping peacekeeping forces with adequate resources and modern technologies to enhance their operational effectiveness and ensure their safety. “Those who attack UN peacekeepers must be held accountable,” he added.
Ambassador Akram also expressed hope that the recent ceasefire in Gaza marks a genuine step towards a comprehensive resolution, including the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state under a two-state solution.
