UN positions in Lebanon risk being 'occupied': peacekeeping chief

The UN peacekeeping chief said Friday that the blue helmet force in Lebanon will hold its line despite facing attacks in recent weeks, adding that its positions would be "occupied" if it left.

More than 10,000 peacekeepers with the UNIFIL mission have been stationed in southern Lebanon since 1978 and are tasked with monitoring the "Blue Line" of demarcation with Israel.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, under secretary-general for peace operations, said that "UNIFIL peacekeepers are staying, they're holding their line, and they're determined to continue doing what they're mandated to do."

He said the force had rejected an Israeli request that it move five kilometers from the Blue Line.

"First of all, because there is a mandate... we are duty born to the mandate, the peacekeepers need to stay," Lacroix said in an interview with the UN Information Service.

"Second, because we thought that if those positions along the Blue Line are abandoned, then they would likely be occupied by one party or the other. That would be very bad for many reasons, including the perception of impartiality and neutrality of the United Nations," he added.

On Wednesday, a UNIFIL spokesman said the force had recorded more than 30 incidents in October resulting in property damage or injury to peacekeepers, about 20 of them from Israeli fire or action.

Israel is fighting a two-front war, against Iran-backed Hezbollah -- in fighting that has included Israeli forces invading Lebanon -- and against Hamas in Gaza.

The current conflict was triggered by the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.