Guterres Considers Hezbollah's Weapons in the Litani Area "Unauthorized"

The UN Security Council is set to discuss a report prepared by Secretary-General António Guterres regarding the tense situation along the Blue Line in southern Lebanon. In this report, according to "Nidaa al-Watan," Guterres expresses deep concern about the ongoing violations of the ceasefire since October 8, amidst repeated exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups in Lebanon on one side, and Israel on the other, which poses a serious threat to the stability of Lebanon, Israel, and the region. Guterres calls for a political process to address the root causes of the conflict, based on the full implementation of Resolution 1701. He urges both parties to make full use of the communication and coordination mechanisms provided by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). He expressed serious concerns regarding the possession of unauthorized weapons outside of state authority in the area between the Litani River and the Blue Line, naming Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups. In contrast, Guterres condemned all Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty and demanded that Tel Aviv stop all overflights over Lebanese territory. He also warned that more than a year has passed without a President in Lebanon, with the government continuing in a caretaker role, as reported by "Nidaa al-Watan," urging the Lebanese political sphere to take decisive steps to elect a President to address pressing political issues and the economic and security requirements facing the country. Guterres concluded by expressing grave concern over the militarization of Palestinian camps in Lebanon, stating that armed groups should never appropriate educational institutions and other UN facilities for military purposes, following Hamas's call to mobilization in the refugee camps in Lebanon.