Lebanon

The United Nations works on multiple fronts to assist Lebanon in forging a peaceful, stable and democratic future. The Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) provides leadership and coordination to UN efforts in the country. The Beirut-based political mission of the Department of Political Affairs is headed by UN Special Coordinator Pernille Dahler Kardel. The Special Coordinator is the Secretary-General’s representative to the Lebanese Government, all political parties and the diplomatic community based in the country and carries out good offices work on behalf of the Secretary-General and in furtherance of the conflict prevention agenda to assist Lebanese parties to reach peaceful and consensus- based solutions to contentious issues.

 

The July 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizbullah brought a new set of political, peacekeeping, and development challenges to Lebanon. In the aftermath of the war, the Secretary-General established in February 2007 the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon to represent him politically and to coordinate the work of the UN in the country. Among UNSCOL’s most important responsibilities is its assistance and reporting on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 under which the fighting was halted in August 2006. The resolution called for a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and gave a framework for a long-term solution based on full respect for the border demarcation between both states, the so-called Blue Line. The framework also includes security arrangements to prevent a resumption of hostilities and a monopoly for the Government of Lebanon on the use of force and weapons within the country. UNSCOL works closely with the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL, which is assisting the Lebanese Army in extending the Mission's presence and authority in its area of operations. UNSCOL is in constant dialogue with actors across the political spectrum in Lebanon, as well as with relevant neighboring countries.

 

The Special Coordinator for Lebanon coordinates the activities of the UN Country Team with the Government of Lebanon, donors and international financial institutions in line with the overall objectives of the United Nations in Lebanon, particularly those relating to reconstruction, development and reform. The Special Coordinator for Lebanon is assisted in this task by a Deputy Special Coordinator, who is Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.

 

DPA also works closely with the Office of the Special Envoy for the Implementation of Security Council resolution 1559 (2004). Special Envoy Terje Rod-Larsen ended his functions in May 2016, since then Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman fulfills the reporting functions of the Secretary-General to the Security Council. The outstanding provisions of resolution 1559 (2004) include the disbanding of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias and the extension of the control of the Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory.

 

The United Nations supports the efforts and the independence of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon established to bring to justice those responsible for the 2005 terrorist attack that took the lives of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others.