UNIFIL: rules of engagement change not an arbitrary process
UNIFIL was exposed to consecutive attacks lately in addition to other repeated security incidents that occurred in its area of ??operations, noting that United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 does not mandate the international peacekeeping mission to use force in order to make these areas free from the presence of illegal weapons, wrote the daily Al Joumhouria’s Ali al-Husseini on Saturday.
In an interview with Al Joumhouria, UNIFIL Deputy Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said that “attacks on UNIFIL have increased in recent weeks and in a worrying manner on the security of the south.
“These incidents do not only target UNIFIL, but also the security and stability of the south,” he said, pointing out that “investigations are ongoing in full swing by UNIFIL forensics and investigation teams, in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), to determine all the facts and circumstances surrounding these incidents and to uncover the perpetrators.”
Tenenti affirmed that as UNIFIL condemns these attacks, it is determined more than ever to pursue the implementation of resolution 1701.
The UNIFIL Deputy Spokesperson said that “it is too early to talk about the side behind the attack on the UNIFIL French troops as well as the previous attacks,” pointing to “the difficult circumstances over which search for details in the incident is taking place, as we cannot accuse any side before the completion of investigations so that we see the complete picture clearly.”
Tenenti also stressed the continued coordination between UNIFIL and the LAF, and this was reflected in the visit carried out by LAF Commander General Jean Kahwagi to the French battalion to show solidarity with the French peacekeepers and UNIFIL.
He pointed out that “breaches come out from both the Israeli and Lebanese sides, and we protest it strongly,” revealing that “the attack on UNIFIL demonstrates that there is presence of illegal weapons in our area of operations, which is also considered a violation of resolution 1701.”
In regard to what has been rumoured about changes in UNIFIL’s Rules of Engagement in order to allow the peacekeeping mission to use force for making its area of operations free of military activities, Tenenti stressed that the “Rules of Engagement are determined by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operation (DPKO) in New York, where there are 15 members in the Council that must vote in order to take a decision pertaining to the amendment of these rules.”
“The change in the Rules of Engagement requires a modification of resolution 1701, and this thing is not an arbitrary process,” he explained.
Asked about reports that spoke about a reduction in UNIFIL troop strength, Tenenti affirmed that these reports are unfounded, revealing that the number of troops has increased recently with the arrival of the Irish and Austrian peacekeepers, in addition to the Brazilian peacekeepers who took over maritime monitoring duties.” He also denied the existence of any decision by any UNIFIL troop contributing country to reduce or pull out its troops.
Asked about reports that spoke about preventing UNIFIL from reaching the locations of explosions within the southern villages from time to time, Tenenti said: “We always reach the places on which such explosions occur, but sometimes we do not arrive to the scene in the required speed because we might not be present in the same area.”
Tenenti reiterated that investigations into the rocket fire continue by relevant experts, and UNIFIL is not authorised to give any details until the completion of the investigation.
In response to a question on UNIFIL’s relationship with local population, Tenenti described this relationship as “very good,” that “this was emphasised by the activities that take place between us and them.” He explained that “the problems that have taken place sometimes are related to the presence of 12.000 UNIFIL troops in a very narrow area that prevents them from moving comfortably.”
In regard to the tripartite meeting that was held on Thursday between representatives of the LAF, Israeli Army and UNIFIL, Tenenti said “discussions focused on the firing of rockets, the attack on the French patrol and the explosion that occurred in the town of Srifa,” declining to give further details “because these meeting are private ones between the three sides.”
