NNA nbsp;ndash; UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix today concluded the Lebanon leg of his trip to the Middle East, during which he strongly stressed the need for de-escalation and return to a cessation of hostilities.nbsp;
nbsp;In meetings with senior Lebanese officials earlier in the week, Mr. Lacroix highlighted the risk of a wider conflagration and called for maximum restraint and a cessation of the ongoing intensified exchanges of fire across the Blue Line.
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While in Lebanon where he arrived on Tuesday 30 July, the UN peacekeeping chief also met with members of the diplomatic corps as well as UN officials and peacekeepers.
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During his visit to the UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura and its area of operations, UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Lt. Gen. Aroldo Laacute;zaro provided Mr. Lacroix with latest updates on the situation in the area and along the Blue Line, and briefed him on the missionrsquo;s best efforts to prevent further escalation.
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Mr. Lacroix also interacted with peacekeepers in Naqoura, Shama and Ibl el-Saqi, in south Lebanon
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ldquo;I commend the role played by the UNIFIL leadership and peacekeepers in ensuring liaison between the parties, mitigating the risk of miscalculation and preventing further escalation in these very challenging times,rdquo; he said. ldquo;Contacts with authorities on both sides must be intensified and sustained, encouraging a return to the cessation of hostilities and a recommitment to Resolution 1701 as a path toward a long-term diplomatic solution.rdquo;
ldquo;Current events further demonstrate that this resolution is even more relevant now,rdquo; he added. ldquo;It continues to serve as the appropriate framework to achieve progress toward a permanent ceasefire.rdquo;
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He assured that the UN will continue to support the parties and facilitate any efforts for a lasting peace and stability across the Blue Line.
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