"UNIFIL": Freedom of Movement is Essential for Implementing Resolution 1701

The Deputy Director of the UNIFIL media office, Candice Ardil, announced that "a mechanism belonging to the peacekeeping mission was on a routine logistical trip to Beirut last night when it ended up on an unplanned route." She added in a statement: "The vehicle was stopped and peacekeepers were detained by local individuals, and they were later released." Ardil confirmed that "in addition to freedom of movement within the UNIFIL operational area, peacekeepers also have the freedom and the mandate from the Lebanese government to move throughout Lebanon for administrative and logistical reasons. This freedom of movement is essential for the implementation of resolution 1701."