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full screen Jean-Pierre Lacroix. Archive image. Photo: Misper Apawu/AP/TT
UN peacekeepers will remain on the south Lebanon border, despite Israel’s request that some vacate certain areas ahead of the ground invasion against Iran-backed Hezbollah.
This is what Jean-Pierre Lacroix, head of the peacekeeping operations, told AP on Thursday. Among other things, he highlights that the UN effort on the ground is “the only communication channel between the parties”.
– They (the forces) also work together with our partners to do what they can in order to protect the civilian population, he says.
Lacroix emphasizes that Israel and Hezbollah are obliged to protect the UN force, which consists of about 10,000 soldiers and a civilian staff, and adds that they are continuously “evaluating the situation” for the personnel.
According to Lacroix, since the Israeli ground offensive began on Tuesday, certain “complications” have been experienced, but these must have been dealt with in an “effective” manner together with the parties.