Lebanon's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in the caretaker government, Abdullah Bou Habib, said in an interview with "Nidaa al-Watan": "Since I began my consultations with the representatives of the five permanent members of the Security Council and members of the other ten non-permanent states, I was aware in advance that amending the resolution was a difficult, complex task fraught with challenges, and that we were facing a tough confrontation with the United States and other active countries." Bou Habib addressed the representatives of the member states to clarify that "the goal of the amendment is to ensure calm and stability in the south and to avoid friction between UNIFIL personnel and the local population, which is guaranteed by the presence of the army alongside UNIFIL patrols. As long as the Lebanese army does not have sufficient personnel to accompany UNIFIL during all its rounds, the accompaniment can be limited to important tours and where the presence of its personnel may cause sensitivity for the locals and provoke negative reactions from them. Additionally, the tension on the borders is due to Israeli violations against Lebanon while Lebanon's movements remain limited to the presence of a shepherd near points on the border held by Israel, which then releases him."
He considered that "the second element to secure stability is to clarify the land borders established since 1923. Resolving the outstanding issues related to the 13 Israeli violations strengthens calm in the south and consolidates regional security." He added, "These violations weaken the state’s position, and Lebanon has shown readiness to settle the borders and agree on the disputed points, while Israel has shown unpreparedness, so why not discuss this with them?"
Bou Habib stated that "the initial discussions were relatively positive, but this did not reflect a modification of the text of the resolution, as we did not see tangible progress, and France entered the scene to present the second version without the desired amendment while maintaining the freedom of movement for UNIFIL, which we support without incorporating the condition of coordination with the army, which we hesitate about." He was informed in some of his meetings that some member states of the Security Council believe that "the problematic resolution issued last year was not strict enough, as these states seek a more stringent resolution this year."
Bou Habib viewed the diplomatic campaign as having achieved a significant breakthrough by halting the push towards a resolution harsher and worse than last year's. He informed Prime Minister Najib Mikati about "a bad formula proposed on the table similar to last year's." Mikati replied, "He threatened to withdraw Lebanon's request for renewal." Thus, Bou Habib communicated to those he met with a rejection of the proposed formula and held meetings with the French and American representatives.
