The Success of UNIFIL: An Important Role in Security and Development Despite The Doubts

Abstract

After the 2006 War, resolution 1701 was added to the mandate of UNIFIL making it responsible for monitoring and securing the borders, ensuring the cessation of fire, assisting the civilian population, assisting the Lebanese Armed forces to maintain its borders, and establishing an area free of arms between the Blues Line and the Litani river. Despite the many doubts in the effectivity and the efficiency of the peace keeping mission in the Southern Lebanon, UNIFIL’s social, economic, and political effects remain very important, and its presence remains very crucial for maintaining the security on the border in the short run. Yet, it is very clear that not all the terms of resolution 1701 are being applied. This study aims to inspect the doubts, and will analyze the importance of UNIFIL and its social, economic, and security effect. In addition, the study will focus on the violations of resolution 1701 from both sides and how UNIFIL deals with these frequent violations. By investigating media reports, and official documents from UNIFIL and the Security Council, the study acquire insights to very significant information regarding the violations of Resolution 1701. Furthermore, empirical findings and real life examples analyzed within this study, support the importance of the developmental role of UNIFIL and its added value to the security of Southern Lebanon.