Page 18 - Coespu 2020-2

THE CONTINUING DEBATE ABOUT CREDIBLE
MANDATES AND EFFECTIVE TROOPS
clearance activities performed with Line. Additionally, UNIFIL and LAF
the support of the UN Mine Action coordinate operational matters.
Service (UNMAS), as part of UNI- The above mentioned Tripartite
FIL’s mandate to restore internatio- forum has proven to be a real ef-
nal peace and security and to as- fective tool, calling both parties to-
sist the Government of Lebanon in gether in order to coordinate IDF
restoring its authority in southern withdrawal in 2006, then it expan-
Lebanon. Moreover, UNIFIL atta- ded to deal with violations of Re-
ches great importance to relations solution 1701, as well as to iden-
with local population, interacting tify and address key security and
with local communities at every le- military operational issues. Leaded
vel, mainly relying on UNIFIL Civil by UNIFIL HoM/FC and attended
Affairs branch (civilian) and CIMIC by senior representative both from
(CIvil-Military Coordination, mili- IDF and LAF, Tripartite forum is an
tary). While UNIFIL is not a huma- essential confl ict management and
nitarian or development agency, confi dence-building mechanism
from early years of its deployment between the parties, contributing
it has had a strong humanitarian to de-escalate tensions. Parties
approach towards local commu- committed themselves to provide
nities, providing a range of basic information on their activities and
services (e.g.: medical, veterinary to marking the Blue Line on the
and dental assistance) and as- ground, which is made building
sisting local population through pillars, the so-called “Blue Barrels”.
training programs and quick im- A challenging future
pact projects in addressing pres- Despite the efforts and the suc-
sing needs. Special efforts are cesses achieved since Resolution
additionally focused on capacity 1701, which has ensured an un-
building for Lebanese Civil Defense. precedented period of calm in
Furthermore, to fulfi l its mandate, southern Lebanon since 1982, la-
UNIFIL engages both parties bila- sting 14 years, many issues are still
terally on various levels, as well as to be solved: boundaries between
through the Tripartite forum. Com- Lebanon and Israel have not been mic added further strains to fulfi l-
munication with both parties takes agreed upon and there are many ling UNIFIL mandate. Precautio-
place in the framework of an agre- disputed areas across the Blue nary measures adopted to reduce
ed Liaison and Coordination me- Line, which Lebanon claims being the risk of spreading the virus has
chanism. UNIFIL Head of Mission part of its territory, as Ghajar villa- led to a dramatic change in work
and Force Commander (HoM/ ge in South-East, which is divided procedures – albeit temporarily, in-
FC) has direct communication, in- in two parts by the Blue Line and creasing the use of IT tools, such as
cluding a hotline, with designated still completely controlled by Isra- teleconferencing, and, for civilian
LAF and IDF generals. This is com- el, and Shebaa Farms area in Go- staff, largely working from home.
plemented, at working level, with lan Heights, that Lebanon claims. Operational activities have also
regular meetings and contacts car- Even the maritime boundary, been remodeled, avoiding unne-
ried out by Liaison Branch and Po- whose discussion is outside the cessary contacts between military
litical staff, as well as on as-needed remit of UNIFIL’s mandate, is and civilians and adopting stri-
basis. Contacts are also aimed to pending on an agreement, whi- ct protocols and safety measures.
reduce the tension across the Blue ch is as more sensitive as it is to However, UNIFIL is still maintaining
Line and recurring violations, such be considered that it will establi- its 24/7 presence in the area of ope-
as arrangements to enable Leba- sh jurisdiction on underwater gas rations: its mandate has not chan-
nese farmers to harvest in the fi eld and oil fi elds to be exploited. ged and is always mainly focused
located close to or south of Blue Current 2020 COVID-19 pande- on monitoring the Blue Line, who-

18