Explosions in Beirut at the time overshadowed a discussion around the renewal of the mandate of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, although this in any case needs to be resolved before the end of August. USA insist on making major changes to the mandate, hoping to achieve strict control over the Shiite movement “Hezbollah”. Other members of the UN security Council is not so categorical, however, taking advantage of the tragedy in Beirut, Lebanon require long-overdue reform.Usually routine extension of the mandate of the United Nations interim force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) this year became the subject of heated debate: the United States decided to push for significant changes in the work of the peacekeepers. “The United States has long been vocal, both publicly and privately— that the status quo in Lebanon is unacceptable,” said US Ambassador to the UN, Kelly Kraft the Associated Press after a meeting held on Tuesday a closed meeting of the UN security Council on the situation in Lebanon. According to her, “it’s time to extend the capabilities of UNIFIL”. The next meeting of the security Council on this subject is scheduled for August 28 — three days before the expiry of the mandate of UNIFIL. During this time, members of the security Council should discuss a draft resolution on extending the peacekeeping mission, was developed by France.The UNIFIL force was first stationed in Lebanon in 1978, and their mission was mainly to monitor the situation on the disengagement line between Israel and Lebanon. Recent dramatic changes in the mandate of the peacekeepers was made in 2006 after the second Lebanon-Israel war. Then, the strength of UNIFIL increased from 2 thousand to 15 thousand people, appeared a naval task force. Now in the mission work of about 10.5 thousand peacekeepers and civilian staff from 45 countries. The emphasis in recent years is to work with the Lebanese army. Training and joint operations. The goal is to help the army to assume full responsibility for the situation in southern Lebanon, which was and largely remains under the control of the Shiite movement Hezbollah, the most powerful political and military structure in the country.Peacekeepers have also become a link between Lebanese and Israeli forces, organizing a tripartite meeting. This is a unique mechanism given the fact that Lebanon and Israel de jure are at war. While both parties Express dissatisfaction with the work of peacekeepers. Hezbollah accuses UNIFIL of espionage in favor of Israel, and the Israelis believe that the peacekeepers condoned Hezbollah. One such high-profile stories have become discovered more than two years ago, the tunnels Hezbollah, through which the fighters of the movement could spread to Israel. Then the official representative of the UNIFIL Andrea Tenenti explained in an interview with “Kommersant” that the peacekeepers could not inspect private property. The exception is obvious Finno��and security of the mission or violation of UN security Council resolutions. In any case, inspection should be carried out jointly with the Lebanese army.In may holding then a post of permanent representative of Israel to the UN Danny Danon warned that he will insist that peacekeepers have the freedom of movement and access to all facilities in Lebanon. The same position is shared by the United States. Kelly Kraft had then said that the UNIFIL forces “prevented to fulfil their mandate”, and Hizbullah continues to arm. It set a severe condition: either the UN security Council extends peacekeeping mandate, or redistribute staff and resources of UNIFIL in accordance with the objectives of that mission can actually accomplish. In fact, we are talking about budget cuts and the number of peacekeepers. Lebanese authorities and Hizbollah has strongly opposed changes to the mandate of the peacekeepers.UN debate occurred in another aggravation of relations between Israel and Hizbollah after the Syrian to the Israeli operations was killed by one of the fighters of the movement. Fearing revenge, Israel has deployed additional forces to the Lebanese border. It was not in vain. In late July, the Israeli army prevented the attempt of penetration of the group “Hezbollah” on its territory. According to one version, the Israeli expert, the Lebanese movement just wanted to “let off steam” and not to start another war with Israel. The same reluctance escalation restrained the Israelites from the serious answer. This week, the General staff of the army of Israel decided to reduce the number of forces deployed on the border with Lebanon, although the situation is not yet back to the person that I was before last July’s escalation, reported the Israeli newspaper “gaarets”. According to the newspaper, the reduction of tensions on the border due to the situation in Lebanon. Hezbollah was not interested in escalation of conflict with Israel in Lebanon, and after the explosions in the port of Beirut, especially. And without Hezbollah in a tough situation. Part of the political and social forces in Lebanon claim that it is a movement controlled area of the port, including kept there their missiles, and, therefore, bears responsibility for the tragedy that claimed the lives of over 170 people.In addition, many in Lebanon blamed on Hezbollah for the economic crisis in the country, as members of this movement and related entities have come under Western sanctions. In published articles in two Newspapers — the American The Wall Street Journal and the Saudi “al-Sharq al-Awsat” — talking about the plans of Washington to enter after the bombings in Beirut, the new anti-corruption sanctions against Lebanese politicians. One of the goals is to weaken Hezbollah and its political allies. “Some of us hope that we can finally take advantage of the situation and pto retraint position within the political elite there”,— quotes The Wall Street Journal one of the unnamed U.S. sources.While providing assistance to the reconstruction of Beirut after the bombings, Western politicians demand that the Lebanese authorities, political and economic reforms. After Monday, the Lebanese government resigned, the main question — who will lead the next Cabinet and how it will be. In expert circles believe that the new Prime Minister may be the only one who gets carte Blanche from the international community. According to “al-Sharq al-Awsat,” Washington and Paris arguing about whether the Lebanese government of “national unity” given the fact that it includes the involvement of “Hezbollah”. Last week, on the eve of a donor conference to Lebanon, the President of France Emmanuel macron said in an interview with his American counterpart Donald trump that the US sanctions against “Hezbollah”, play only into the hands of those against whom should be directed. The French President has taken responsibility for the achievement of political consensus in Lebanon and the distribution of the gathered international media community to help Beirut after the bombings.The current situation can not affect the French resolution on the peacekeeping mission, as it is closely related to the future of Lebanon. Strict requirements the U.S. none of the members of the UN security Council does not support, considering them a violation of Lebanese sovereignty. Moscow, as stated by “RIA Novosti”, Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin, fears that any changes will lead to friction with local residents. For example, in may in one of the areas in southern Lebanon peacekeepers pelted with stones because they tried to carry out patrols without coordination with the Lebanese army. France, realizing the explosive situation in Lebanon, also careful. However, this does not mean that Paris and other UN security Council members will not resemble Beirut on necessary political and economic reforms. At the last meeting of the UN security Council devoted to Lebanon, has sounded a call to Beirut soon to form a government and begin to address urgent problems. In addition, the international community is keen to have UNIFIL was able to investigate every controversial incident near the Lebanese-Israeli border, and had access to hitherto closed to peacekeepers of the territory. The only question is how to do it — in the form of an ultimatum, as required by the United States, or negotiating with the Lebanese army and locals.Marianna Belenkaya
