China Urges UN to Reverse UNIFIL Departure from Lebanon Amid Escalating Conflict

AI Summary

China's UN ambassador, Fu Cong, has called for a reversal of the UN Security Council's decision to terminate the mandate of the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, citing escalating conflict and concerns for regional stability.

The Call for Reversal

China's ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, has urged the UN Security Council to reconsider its decision to withdraw the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as the conflict in the region escalates.

Escalating Conflict in Lebanon

Fu Cong expressed deep concern about the situation in Lebanon, noting that a genuine ceasefire does not exist, describing the current state of conflict as merely a 'lesser fire'. He emphasized that it is not the right time to withdraw UNIFIL, a mission that has been in place since 1978.

Humanitarian Impact

According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 have killed 2,618 people and forced more than one million to flee their homes.
The UNIFIL mission has also faced casualties, with at least six peacekeepers killed and many others injured since Israel began its attack on March 2.

China's Stance and Future Developments

China is awaiting a report from the UN secretariat, expected in June, before taking a position on the matter. Fu Cong also called on Israel to stop its bombardment of Lebanon, emphasizing the need for stability in the region.

The Future of UNIFIL

The UN Security Council unanimously resolved last year to begin withdrawing the UNIFIL mission's 10,800 international peacekeepers by December 2026. However, with the escalating conflict, there is growing pressure to reconsider this decision.