What Happened: Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged the UN for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, confirming the Lebanese army’s deployment along the border and condemning attacks on UN peacekeepers.
What you need to know: On Friday, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on the United Nations to pass a resolution for an “immediate” ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. In a televised address, Mikati reiterated his government’s commitment to deploying the army along the border with Israel as part of the cessation of hostilities, stating that Hezbollah was in agreement on this matter.
What more: He announced that Lebanon’s foreign ministry would request the UN Security Council to issue a resolution for a “full and immediate ceasefire.” Mikati emphasized Lebanon’s dedication to “the full application of Resolution 1701,” which was adopted in 2006 and mandated that only the Lebanese army and peacekeepers be present in southern Lebanon. He reiterated, “Lebanon is committed to deploying the army in the south and enhancing its presence along the border.”
Also: A government source previously mentioned that Hezbollah informed Lebanese authorities it had accepted a ceasefire with Israel on September 27, the same day an Israeli strike killed its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. However, Hezbollah had previously stated that it would only agree to a truce if there was also one with its Palestinian ally, Hamas, in Gaza.
Additionally: Mikati condemned recent attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon as a “crime,” following reports that peacekeepers had been targeted by Israeli forces for two consecutive days, according to Lebanese media and the foreign ministry. Over the past year, hostilities have resulted in more than 2,100 deaths in Lebanon and displaced over one million people, according to Lebanese authorities.