The sustained presence of Israeli forces in Lebanese territory, along with continuing strikes, could easily lead to “serious ripple effects", a UN official said on Monday.
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN special co-ordinator for Lebanon, said the ceasefire continues to hold but this does not mean that all military activity in Lebanese territory has ceased.
“We urgently need diplomatic and political discussions capable of forging a path to the full implementation of Resolution 1701,” she said, referring to the UN resolution aimed at ending the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.
Ms Hennis-Plasschaert warned that the current situation, exacerbated by differing interpretations of the November 27 truce between Israel and Hezbollah and Resolution 1701, could lead to further conflict.
Under the agreement, Israel had been expected to withdraw from Lebanon by February 18 after missing a January deadline, but it has kept troops in five locations it considers to be “strategic”. The ceasefire also required Hezbollah to pull back north of the Litani River, about 30km from the border, and to dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.
Israel has continued to carry out strikes on Lebanese territory since the agreement took effect. Early on Monday, the Lebanese Health Ministry said an Israeli strike in the south had killed two people after the military said it had aimed at Hezbollah militants there.
Lebanon has been seeking international support to boost funding for its military as it gradually posts troops along its porous northern and eastern borders with Syria, and its southern border with Israel.
Ms Hennis-Plasschaert said the Lebanese government was walking a “fine line” in a post-conflict landscape and that it deserved “patience and time”.
“A failure to kick off recovery and reconstruction would come at a high price," she said. "People must see and feel the dividends of stability before they can truly believe in it.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh209,000
On sale: now
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volunteers offer workers a lifeline
Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.
When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.
Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.
Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.
“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.
Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.
“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.
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Zidane's managerial achievements
La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
The%20specs
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
The biog
Hobbies: Writing and running
Favourite sport: beach volleyball
Favourite holiday destinations: Turkey and Puerto Rico
The%20specs
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