Following its visit to Syria, the Security Council delegation continued its Middle East mission in Lebanon. Over two days, under Slovenia’s Presidency, the delegation reaffirmed the Council’s support for Lebanon’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence. It also reiterated the Council’s commitment to the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 and urged all parties to uphold the year-old ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah.

At a press conference in Beirut, Ambassador Samuel Žbogar, President of the Security Council for the month of December, stressed that the delegation arrived in Lebanon at a pivotal moment for advancing the implementation of relevant Council resolutions and of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of 26 November last year. For the latter, the Council noted the progress Lebanon has made this year. The 15-member UN body regularly reviews the situation in Lebanon and along the Blue Line and remains committed to the stability of the country and the wider region.

During the two-day visit, the delegation held productive meetings with President Joseph Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji. Members also received important briefings from the Lebanese Armed Forces Commander, the UNIFIL Force Commander, UN staff in Lebanon and the US General heading the Cessation of Hostilities mechanism. The delegation toured the southern Lebanon border as well as UNIFIL headquarters and outposts.

“Everywhere, our discussions were enlightening and contributed to our understanding of the current situation,” Žbogar underlined. He commended the peacekeepers for their work and added that their safety must be respected—they must never be targeted.

Discussions in Lebanon covered the political, economic and security situation in the country, with particular attention to the work of UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces. At the end of the visit, Žbogar expressed the Council’s support for the state’s exclusive authority over weapons and called for increased international assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces, including their sustained deployment south of the Litani River.

The visit also offered an opportunity to “examine options for the implementation of Resolution 1701 following UNIFIL’s departure from Lebanon,” Žbogar said, noting that “this is a topic that will require thorough discussion in 2026.”

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