BEIRUT: Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on the United Nations on Friday to pass a resolution for an “immediate” ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah group.
In a televised address, Mikati highlighted his government’s commitment to deploying the army along the Israeli border as part of a cessation of hostilities, noting that Hezbollah has agreed to this plan.
Mikati announced that Lebanon’s foreign ministry would request the UN Security Council to issue a resolution for a “full and immediate ceasefire.” He reaffirmed his government’s dedication to “the full application of Resolution 1701,” which was enacted in 2006 and mandated that only the Lebanese army and peacekeepers should be stationed in southern Lebanon.
The Prime Minister stated, “Lebanon is committed to deploying the army in the south and enhancing its presence along the border,” adding that “Hezbollah is in agreement on this issue.” A government source indicated that Hezbollah had informed Lebanese authorities of its acceptance of a ceasefire with Israel on September 27, following an Israeli strike that killed its leader Hassan Nasrallah.
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Earlier, Hezbollah had insisted that any truce should coincide with one involving its Palestinian ally Hamas in Gaza. Mikati also condemned attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon as a “crime,” referring to incidents where peacekeepers were targeted by Israeli forces for two consecutive days.
Over the past year, hostilities have resulted in the deaths of more than 2,100 people in Lebanon and forced over one million to flee, according to Lebanese authorities.
