UNIFIL: Resolution 1701 grants us the authority to move freely in the presence or absence of the Lebanese army.

The spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Andrea Tenenti, stated today that Resolution 1701 "grants us the authority to move freely with or without the presence of the Lebanese army." The National News Agency quoted Tenenti as saying, in response to the incident in Sarafand: "This morning, a group of men in civilian clothes stopped a patrol of UN peacekeepers in the town of Sarafand, in a patrol planned in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces." He added: "The peacekeepers were able to carry out their planned activity after the intervention of the Lebanese army." He pointed out that "Resolution 1701 grants UNIFIL the authority to move freely and conduct patrols - with or without the army. This is part of our mandate." He continued: "While we closely coordinate with the Lebanese army, the freedom of movement for peacekeepers is key to carrying out our assigned tasks." The agency also reported earlier that "a group of young men on the main road in Sarafand intercepted a UNIFIL patrol today on its way to the Wadi al-Salouqi area, protesting the lack of accompaniment by the Lebanese army, without any notable incidents recorded." According to the agency, a patrol belonging to the army later arrived at the scene and worked to address the situation and restore normalcy.