Lebanon's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdallah Bou Habib explained to "Nidaa Al-Watan" what he intends to pursue in his discussions in New York, which he traveled to yesterday. When asked if he carries a proposed formula for UNIFIL’s operations, he replied: "I am not going to New York to challenge anyone or to be a cause for obstructing any agreement related to the extension of the international force. What is important for Lebanon is to reduce the tension arising sometimes from the clashes between some residents and UNIFIL personnel, and the tension caused by Israel." He added, "Addressing these two issues will reduce the chances of war and its regional repercussions, and ensure stability for Lebanon as it begins extracting its gas resources from the waters. This is our message in New York and not a challenge to the Americans or others, and if the Security Council rejects it, it will bear the responsibility for the deterioration of the security situation in the south. For this reason, I will hold meetings with ambassadors of the member states of the Security Council and with the UN Secretary-General to convey this message."
He continued, "The subject is not limited to the extension of UNIFIL and modifying the clause related to its operations, but also includes other matters such as the borders and ensuring security and stability. The Americans have agreed that we start tripartite negotiations with UNIFIL to continue clarifying the borders established in 1923 and confirmed in 1949, and we will continue to affirm them." He clarified that "the issue has nothing to do with Hezbollah, but with the operational mechanisms of UNIFIL that avoids clashes with the residents, and the solidification of the borders with Israel." Regarding the formula proposed by the French, Bou Habib said: "The French are always cautious and believe that the only issue in the south is the extension of UNIFIL's mandate, while we say there are other issues that are about solidifying borders and ensuring stability, which I previously communicated to the former French ambassador, as well as to the ambassadors of America and Britain, and to the ambassadors of Russia and China who confirmed their countries’ support for Lebanon."
