Lebanon to bolster armed forces in south to 'comply with UN Resolution 1701'

Lebanon’s Council of Ministers approved $1.3 million in funding for the Ministry of Defence to recruit 1,500 military personnel to be sent to the south, saying that this will bolster the country’s adherence to UN Resolution 1701.

Meeting minutes indicate that the amount is intended to cover the costs of this recruitment for three months, through the end of 2024.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati reiterated in several statements Lebanon’s readiness to strengthen the army presence in the south once a ceasefire is achieved, amid Israel’s continued brutal assault on the country.

Mikati also noted that 4,500 soldiers are currently stationed in southern Lebanon, with plans to increase this number to between 7,000 and 11,000.

UN Resolution 1701 was adopted unanimously by the Security Council in 2006, following Israel’s last devastating war on Lebanon.

The resolution calls for a permanent ceasefire to be implemented between Israel and Hezbollah, with a buffer zone in Lebanon’s south to be policed by the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese armed forces.

The resolution also orders Israel to halt all military infringements on Lebanese territory, whether by land, air or sea.

Ministerial sources in Lebanon, told The New Arab’s Arabic language sister outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that “this step reaffirms Lebanon’s serious intent to uphold Resolution 1701, which the government considers essential for long-term stability in the south and a cornerstone for ensuring security.”

“Lebanon’s stance on the ceasefire is clear, as is its commitment to Resolution 1701, fully and without modification. Conversely, Israel must also adhere to it and halt its air, maritime, and land violations,”, the source added.

However, the ministerial sources warned that it was impossible to take part in fulfilling Resolution 1701 and negotiations as Israel continues to engage in aggression against Lebanon, which includes a massive bombing campaign and ground invasion that has killed over 3,000 people.

The sources said that Israel continues to “reject” and “obstruct” any attempt by the Lebanese side to de-escalate, accusing Tel Aviv of “crimes against humanity”.

"We are prepared … to engage in indirect negotiations once the aggression stops, and we still hope diplomatic efforts will achieve this," they said.

"However, the current atmosphere suggests otherwise, particularly as Israel rejects all solutions, obstructing them with unachievable, prohibitive conditions, and continues committing massacres, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, disregarding all international treaties," they added

Israel’s war on Lebanon has killed at least 3,050 people, the majority of whom are civilians. Additionally, Israel’s indiscriminate bombing campaigns, focusing mostly on Lebanon’s south, has led to the displacement of over 1.4 million Lebanese civilians, many fleeing into neighbouring Syria.