Delivered By: H.E. Lana Nusseibeh, Ambassador and Permanent Representative

Mr. President,

I would like, first, to commend our French colleagues for their unwavering commitment to securing a consensus outcome for this important mandate renewal. The UAE also appreciates the constructive and cooperative approach demonstrated by the Council Members to unify around a renewal of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon’s (UNIFIL) mandate.

Lebanon faces overlapping, generational crises that have visited profound socio-economic hardship on the Lebanese people. This resolution, therefore, represents the Security Council’s much-needed reiteration of its commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity as it navigates a difficult path forward. In that light, the UAE strongly welcomes the renewal, noting the request for renewal from the Government of Lebanon and the Secretary-General’s letter. We further recognize UNIFIL’s vital role in supporting Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces, and we underscore UNIFIL’s valuable contribution to maintaining regional stability, especially in the absence of a permanent ceasefire. Here, we must thank Troop and Police Contributing Countries, whose generous contributions are the foundation of peacekeeping in Lebanon and beyond in our region.

We particularly welcome the Resolution’s strengthened language expressing Council Members’ unified condemnation of the continued maintenance of weapons by armed groups outside the State’s control in violation of resolution 1701, as noted by the Secretary-General. Additionally, we underscore that the maintenance of weapons by non-state groups has demonstrably been a grave threat to Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability as well as to the region as a whole. The inclusion of such a condemnation in a unanimous resolution by the Security Council reflects a collective expectation that this core issue is urgently addressed in the interest of the Lebanese people and Lebanon’s sovereignty.

It remains vitally important that UNIFIL is able to support Lebanon through the coming period by carrying out the Security Council’s mandate, including through its freedom of movement in its area of operations and along the blue line.

The UAE looks forward to continuing to work with Council Members, with the same spirit of constructive cooperation to enhance this body’s invaluable support to Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and to realize the legitimate aspirations of the Lebanese people.

And, in conclusion, given that this is the last official meeting, I believe, of the Council this month, I would like to take this opportunity to also  congratulate China on a very successful and productive presidency of the Council this month, and I extend our best wishes to our colleagues in the French delegation for a successful presidency of the Council in September.

Thank you, Mr. President.