what is UN resolution 1701 that France wants to enforce in the region

INTERNATIONAL – This is one of the demands of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the midst of the crisis between Israel and Lebanon. It’s necessary “finally fully implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701”urged Jean-Noël Barrot on Monday September 30 from Beirut. To initiate a de-escalation, this text is one of the “parameters of a lasting diplomatic settlement”estimated the boss of the Quai d’Orsay, recalling that it is also ” long standing ».

The adoption of this text – unanimously – dates back to August 11, 2006. At the time, the resolution made it possible to mark the end of a violent 33-day conflict between Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel.

This war, the memory of which is today revived among the inhabitants of the two countries, broke out after the kidnapping by Hezbollah of two Israeli soldiers at the border. The vast offensive launched in retaliation by Israel, and the resulting clashes, caused the deaths of 1,200 Lebanese – mainly civilians – and 160 Israelis, mainly soldiers. It was during this conflict that the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, killed in an Israeli strike on September 28, established himself as a true hero in the Arab world.

Beyond the cessation of hostilities, Resolution 1701 stipulates that only the Lebanese army and the Blue Helmets of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) must be deployed in the south of the country, from the Litani River to the border, 30 km. All other armed forces, in this case the Israeli forces and Hezbollah, must therefore withdraw. And should normally not set foot there again.

The peacekeepers prevented » by the fights

However, in fact, Hezbollah maintains its presence in the region. Although the movement’s main institutions are based outside the area in question, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, according to experts, a major network of tunnels has been dug there. It is also strengthening its arsenal, which includes guided missiles, and claims 100,000 fighters.

Following the attack of October 7, 2023 carried out by Palestinian Hamas and the start of the war in Gaza, Hezbollah immediately opened a new front against Israel. Since then, cross-border firefights have forced some 60,000 Israelis to flee the north of the country. A conflict which escalated on September 23 with the deadly bombing campaign launched by Israel against Hezbollah, and the ground incursions claimed Monday evening by Israel. Resolution 1701 has definitely been shattered.

UNIFIL, whose role is essential in the application of resolution 1701, is undermined by the escalation of tensions. The 10,000 soldiers – including French – installed since 1978 along the “ Blue line “, demarcation line set by the UN between Lebanon and Israel, are “prevented [dans] their movements and their ability to carry out their tasks” par “the intensity of the fighting”indicated the spokesperson for the Secretary General of the United Nations. “They can’t patrol”he clarified, noting that these men could just observe the situation from where they are stationed.

After his meeting on Monday with Jean-Noël Barrot, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati also called for a ceasefire and affirmed that “the priority is the implementation of resolution 1701” of the UN. Five days earlier, during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council at the initiative of France, the representative of Israel also said he was in favor of an application “full and complete” of the text, relate the United Nations in their report. But he also warned: “There will be no peace in the region until we destroy this cobweb”.

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