UN mission reports rising tensions along the Blue Line in Lebanon

Key points

• Once gathered around the famous horseshoe-shaped table, Member States urged de-escalation by both sides and reiterated the obligation to protect civilians and respect the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL.
• Although the force’s mandate is scheduled to end on 31 December, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has insisted that peacekeepers would be needed in Lebanon beyond that date.
• He has sent a letter to Council members presenting three possible scenarios involving between some 2,000 and more than 5,500 UN personnel who could monitor the ceasefire and support the Lebanese army.
• Escalation still a reality in the south To better understand the situation on the ground, UN News spoke on Tuesday with UNIFIL spokesperson Tilak Pokharel.
• He noted an uptick in violence last weekend.