UN / LACROIX PEACEKEEPING PRESS

Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix told reporters after the Security Council closed consultations in New York City, “the decision was made that UNIFIL would currently stay in all its positions, in spite of the calls that were made by the Israeli Defense Forces to vacate the position that are in the vicinity of the Blue Line. I want to emphasize that this decision still remains.” UNIFEED

• Video Length: 00:02:54
• Production Date: 14 October 2024
• Asset Language: English
• Personal Subject: JEAN-PIERRE LACROIX
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON - UNIFIL
• Subject Topical: PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
• Geographic Subject: LEBANON; ISRAEL
• MAMS Id: 3277639
• Parent Id: 3277639
• Alternate Title: unifeed241014i

Description

STORY: UN / LACROIX PEACEKEEPING PRESS
TRT: 02:54
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 14 OCTOBER 2024, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

Shotlist

FILE - NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior UN Headquarters

14 OCTOBER 2024, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, USG Lacroix walks up to the dais
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
As you know, the decision was made that United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) would currently stay in all its position, in spite of the calls that were made by the Israeli Defense Forces to vacate the position that are in the vicinity of the Blue Line. I want to emphasize that this decision still remain. It was confirmed this morning by the Secretary General. We had an executive committee meeting on that specific issue. And I want also to emphasize that this was a decision that was very carefully considered based on a number of elements and criteria. And of course, safety and security of the peacekeepers is a paramount priority, but there are a number of other elements, and one of them is the responsibility that we have, UNIFIL has in regard to the mandate that was given to it by the Security Council.”
4. Wide shot, USG Lacroix at the dais
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“The mission is in contact with the IDF. The liaison mechanism continues to work. The force commander has been in regular touch with the counterparts in the Israeli Defense Forces. I am in touch as well with the Israeli authorities. I will be meeting the Israeli Permanent Representative tomorrow, and of course, we're also in touch with the Lebanese authorities and the Lebanese Armed Forces.”
6. Wide shot, USG Lacroix at the dais
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“Our main call to all the parties is to respect their international obligation when it comes to protecting the safety and security of peacekeepers. I would also add that we need to make sure that the movements that need to be carried out by UNIFIL with the purpose of resupplying position, with the purpose of supporting the civilian population, those movements need to be deconflicted, and they need to be also cleared by the parties, including the IDF, and this is also an important message.”
8. Wide shot, USG Lacroix at the dais
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“What is UNIFIL mandate given by the Security Council? UNIFIL's mandate is a mandate to support the parties in their implementation of Resolution 1701. In other words, it's for the parties to implement resolution 1701. UNIFIL are not mandated to implement, and certainly not to enforce, resolution 1701. UNIFIL is mandated to support the parties. And I would also add that it is important in relation to our current decision to stay in the position, because we all hope that there will be a return to the negotiating table.”
10. Wide shot, USG Lacroix leaves.

Storyline

Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix told reporters today (14 Oct) after the Security Council closed consultations in New York City, “the decision was made that UNIFIL would currently stay in all its position, in spite of the calls that were made by the Israeli Defense Forces to vacate the position that are in the vicinity of the Blue Line. I want to emphasize that this decision still remains.”

The Under-Secretary-General emphasized ongoing communication efforts. He said, “the liaison mechanism continues to work,” adding that he would be meeting with the Israeli Permanent Representative on Tuesday (15 Oct) for further discussions.

Lacroix also underscored the importance of maintaining open routes for UNIFIL’s operational needs. He said, "the movements that need to be carried out by UNIFIL with the purpose of resupplying position, with the purpose of supporting the civilian population, those movements need to be deconflicted, and they need to be also cleared by the parties, including the IDF."

Despite security concerns Lacroix reaffirmed the mission's commitment to peacekeeping in southern Lebanon. He appealed to all parties saying, "our main call to all the parties is to respect their international obligation when it comes to protecting the safety and security of peacekeepers."

Lacroix reiterated UNIFIL’s mandate, which is to aid in the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. He said, “it's for the parties to implement resolution 1701. UNIFIL are not mandated to implement, and certainly not to enforce, resolution 1701.”