US and France Emphasize Strengthening Lebanese Army at UN Security Council Meeting

On Thursday, October 11, the United States and France stated that strengthening the Lebanese army is vital for implementing a significant UN Security Council resolution aimed at maintaining peace along the Lebanon-Israel border. According to Reuters, the US Deputy Ambassador to the UN emphasized in a meeting with the 15 Security Council members that the international community must focus its efforts on strengthening Lebanon's governmental institutions. Robert Wood added, "The solution to this crisis is not a weak Lebanon, but a strong and truly independent Lebanon that is protected by a legitimate security force embodied in the Lebanese armed forces." Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006, tasked UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) with assisting the Lebanese army in maintaining the southern border region with Israel and keeping it free of any weapons or armed forces other than those of the Lebanese state. This issue has created tensions with Hezbollah, the armed group supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Robert Wood further stated that the US is seeking a diplomatic solution but did not mention a ceasefire. Nicolas de Rivière, the French ambassador to the UN, also said that an immediate ceasefire is needed, and the 21-day ceasefire proposal put forth by France and the US last month remains in effect. Hadi Hashem, Lebanon's temporary representative to the UN, told the Security Council, "Only diplomatic solutions and the implementation of international resolutions, commitment to international law, and international human rights will end this war and aggression." Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the UN, told the council that Resolution 1701 must be implemented, along with Resolution 1559, adopted in 2004, which "calls for the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias." He emphasized that Israel has no desire to be present in southern Lebanon, stating, "Israel is there because Hezbollah fought alongside Hamas against Israel... I tell the people of Lebanon, the land of Lebanon belongs to the Lebanese, not the Iranians." Danon continued by stating that the people of Lebanon are being held hostage by an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, claiming that Hezbollah has established a terrorist regime in a country with a dysfunctional government. Weapons manufactured by the military industries of the Imperial Iranian Army are in the hands of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Continued attacks on Hezbollah positions; the Israeli army emphasized the use of 'human shields' by this militia group. Meir Eisin told Voice of America that Israel targets threats that are 'open and hidden.' Ongoing ambiguity about the status of the Quds Force commander; 'Middle East Eye': Qaani is under interrogation. Netanyahu's conversation with Biden about responding to the Islamic Republic's missile attack; the White House: 'It was clear and substantive.'