The Lebanese government's coordinator with the United Nations force, General Munir Shihada, emphasized during an extraordinary tripartite meeting in Ras Naqoura, chaired by the commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, Major General Aroldo Latharo, "Lebanon's commitment to UN resolutions, especially Resolution 1701 and its implications." He stressed the need for "the enemy's withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories, including the Shebaa Farms, the Kfarshouba Hills, the outskirts of the town of Mari, which partially includes the urban expansion of the town of Ghajar, the areas where Lebanon has reservations on the Blue Line (currently 13 areas), and the areas with consistent violations of the Blue Line (currently 17 areas)."
The Lebanese side addressed the repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the ongoing breaches of Lebanese sovereignty by land, sea, and air, holding the Israeli army responsible for the consequences resulting from these attacks. It also urged the United Nations to exert maximum pressure to stop them. Furthermore, he emphasized the necessity of removing the barbed wire recently placed by the Israeli army in the area where Lebanon has reservations on the withdrawal line in Adaisseh, as well as the fence erected on Ras Naqoura Hill north of the line and the concrete wall constructed at the northern entrance to the railway tunnel in the same area between Lebanon and occupied Palestine.
Major General Aroldo Latharo, commander of UNIFIL, noted, according to a UNIFIL statement, that "over the past two months, there have been a number of concerning developments along the Blue Line. Despite these incidents, active efforts have contributed to preventing escalation and helped maintain stability." He highlighted a "violation of the ceasefire that occurred on April 6, 2023," pointing out "increased tension along the Blue Line."
Latharo said, "I strongly encourage the parties to continue benefiting from the coordination mechanisms we undertake and to avoid unilateral actions." He also commended the efforts made by the parties to calm the situation and called for refraining from actions near the Blue Line that could lead to misunderstandings, violations, and increased tension. He renewed the call for engagement in Blue Line discussions to address outstanding issues.
