Briefing by Security Council mission to Lebanon and Syria - Security Council, 10071st meeting

The 10,071st meeting of the Security Council is called to order.

The provisional agenda for this meeting is Security Council mission. The agenda is adopted in accordance with Rule 37 of the council's Provisional Rules of Procedure. I invite the representatives of Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic to participate in this meeting. It is so decided.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item two of the agenda. At this meeting, the Security Council will hear briefing by Slovenia on behalf of the CO leads of the Security Council Mission to Lebanon and Syria from 2nd to 7th of December 2025, namely Algeria, Denmark and Slovenia.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of Slovenia. I shall deliver the statement on behalf of the colleagues Algeria, Denmark and my own country, Slovenia. Distinguished members of the Security Council Dear Colleagues, Two weeks ago the Security Council undertook a historic visit to Syria and Lebanon. At the outset I would like to thank the Syrian and Lebanese authorities for the quality of the organization and and the hospitality extending during the visit. I would first like to turn to Syria and begin by expressing our sincere gratitude for the assistance in organizing this visit extended by Ambassador Olabi, his team and the transitional authorities.

Our visit, which took place in the days leading up to the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, had one clear objective to build trust not only the trust of the Security Council in the work of the Syrian government of the transitional period, but equally the trust of the Syrian government of the transitional period and the Syrian people in the international community. During our visit, we engaged directly with Syrian stakeholders and assess developments on the ground. We held constructive meetings with President Ahmed Al Shara and his Cabinet, including Foreign Minister Assad Al Shaybani and other senior officials. We also met with members of the United nations country team as well as broad variety of representatives of civil society, local and religious leaders from across the country, as well as national committees including the National Commission for Transitional justice, the National Commission for the Missing and the Higher Committee for the Elections of the People's Assembly. The visit also allowed the Council to note the extensive destruction in the neighborhood of Damascus while at the same time observing the sense of hope demonstrated by Syrians striving to rebuild their country.

Our discussions covered a wide range of issues including justice and reconciliation, humanitarian assistance and reconstruction, the political transition, counterterrorism and other matters of shared concern. The breadth of these conversations reflected both the scale of the challenges and the strong desire among Syrians to move towards stability and recovery. This visit served as a clear demonstration of the international community's solidarity with the Syrian people. We reaffirmed our strong support for Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity. In this regard, several members expressed grave concern over Israeli violations.

We welcomed assurances by the Syrian government of the transitional period that Syria would not pose a threat to the region or to the broader international community, as well as their stated commitment to peace and security. We conveyed a unified message the future of Syria must be shaped by Syrians themselves. Despite existing challenges, a Syrian owned and Syrian led political process in line with the key principles of the United nations security council resolution 2254 remains essential. We also emphasize the importance of inclusivity, ensuring that all Syrians have a voice in shaping their country's future, including through the meaningful participation of Syrian women and youth. The visit enabled members of the Security Council to witness firsthand the efforts to maintain stability and improve the economic situation in Syria, to recognize the tangible progress achieved as well as the challenges which remain, and to further underscore that the international community stands ready to support these efforts in ways determined by Syrians and in support of peace, stability and recovery.

The Security Council also expressed its hope to finalize an agreement on the reconfiguration of the United nations presence in Damascus. This would enable the un, with all its instruments, lessons learned and expertise, to stand at the side of the Syrian people. We met with victims groups, governors from Suwaydah and Dara and the coastal region, as well as representatives of the National Investigation and Fact Finding Committees, and expressed our expectation for an inclusive political process and for transparent justice for atrocities committed over the past 14 years as well as the most recent ones. We also expressed our support for the efforts to accelerate the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking and to ensure safety and security for all components of Syrian society. And finally, we reaffirm our full support for the ongoing work of the United nations, including the efforts of the Office of the Special Envoy and carried out in coordination with the relevant authorities.

We look forward to continuing our engagement with Syrian representatives here in New York. Let me now turn to the visit to Lebanon and equally express our sincere gratitude for the assistance in organizing this visit extended by Ambassador Arafa and his team and the Lebanese government. During the visit, Council members met with President Joseph Aoun, speaker of the Parliament Nabik Berry, Prime Minister Nafav Salaam and Foreign Minister Yousef Raji, and engaged in frank and substantive exchanges on the path ahead for Lebanon. During these meetings, the Council discussed the Lebanese government's decision to ensure a state monopoly over arms throughout its territory, as well as priorities related to strengthening of the Lebanese armed forces, economic reform and the urgent reconstruction of southern Lebanon. Strong support was voiced for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon.

Council members reiterated their full support for the full implementation of Resolution 1701 and their commitment to the responsibility to help restore calm along the Blue Line and secure a long term solution. The Council welcomed the additional deployment of Lebanese armed forces to southern Lebanon. Council members also underscored the importance of supporting Lebanon's economic and institutional reforms as a cornerstone for restoring confidence and unlocking international support for recovery and reconstruction. During the meetings, Lebanese interlocutors condemned the continued encroachment by the IDF on Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, including through the establishment of forward positions and buffer zones north of the Blue Line, as well as launching daily strikes inside Lebanon, which they noted are a clear violation of Resolution 1701 and risk further undermining Lebanese government's efforts to spread its authority across all its territory and further eroding prospects for restoring stability. The Council also met with Deputy Special Coordinator Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza as well as Acting Executive Director of ECSWA Murad Vahba.

These meetings gave Council members a deeper insight into into how the UN is supporting Lebanon across multiple lines of effort, from humanitarian assistance to long term development and institutional resilience. Furthermore, the Council met with the Chair of the Cessation of Hostilities Mechanism, U.S. lt. Gen. Joseph Clearfield. The General gave an overview of how the mechanism works in practice, highlighting both its achievements and and constraints. Finally, the Council traveled to Nakura where it visited and was provided an operational briefing by UNIFIL led by Major General Deodato Abanara. Council members also visited UNIFIL position 131 and met with the peacekeepers posted to monitor and report on the situation on the ground.

Council members voiced their strong support to UNIFIL and the peacekeepers in fulfilling the mandate outlined by the Council. This demands respect for safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and premises. While challenges and risks remain, I believe Council left Lebanon with a renewed optimism that the Government of Lebanon is striving to strengthen its institutions, extend its sovereignty, monopolize weapons outside its control and engaging politically to solidify the cessation of hostilities and ensure respect for Resolution 1701 in a particularly challenging security environment and while under immense pressure. I'm strongly convinced that the visit provided Council members with important insights and that these observations will be taken into account as we continue our regular deliberations on Resolution 1701 and UNIFIL and the phase after its withdrawal that starts in January 2020. 7 With a shared commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty, stability and prosperity.

Dear colleagues, I would like to conclude by expressing my gratitude to fellow colleagues Algeria and Denmark in spearheading this visit and for exemplary cooperation between us, as well as to fellow Council members for the cooperation throughout the planning and conduct of the visit, which reflected the true spirit of collective responsibility that must guide the work of this Council. We are also thankful for support provided by the Secretariat and the UN personnel on the ground. Thank you. I resume my function as President of the Council.

On behalf of the Council, I should like to express appreciation to all the members of the Security Council and the Secretariat who participated in the mission for the manner in which they discharged their important responsibilities. I now give the floor to the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic,

Shukrona said.

Thank you, Mr. President. the outset, I would like to congratulate you and your team on the good leadership of the Security Council works during this month. Allow me to express my deep appreciation, appreciation of the Syrian Arab Republic to you, to Algeria and Denmark for your constructive engagement with the idea of the visit of the Security Council to Syria. I thank all Council members for their participation in this visit. We express also our appreciation for the Secretariat and the SCUD who collaborated closely with their Syrian partners to ensure the success of this visit.

I would like also to thank the colleagues in the various ministries and institutions of the State for the tremendous efforts they made to render the visit successful. I also would like to thank people of Damascus for the hospitality in which they received the Security Council despite the overcrowdedness and traffic jam that we created for them. Mr. President, this historic visit was the culmination of the positive international engagement in support of Syria and the Syrian people and an embodiment of diplomatic openness that the new Syria has adopted. Damascus opened its doors to welcome you. You came in as a dear guest, supportive and standing in solidarity with us.

You entered Syria and you've noticed through your mobile phones and since the first moments, the results of the Israeli violation of Syrian sovereignty and the destruction caused by Syria in Damascus. You passed through Jobur neighborhood and witnessed the tremendous destruction and the results of the destructive war of the previous regime. But you've also noticed the strong will of Syrians and their determination. You've seen civilization and history and the rich diversity that gives Damascus more strength and more beauty. You've seen the difficulties that we've inherited and the government efforts to address them wisely.

You visited the Presidential palace and you were received there by His Excellency the President and the Minister of Foreign affairs and all the other ministers, a palace that has transformed from a symbol of isolation and injustice into a symbol of openness, both internally and externally. You witnessed how Syria has responsibly managed the challenges of this period and the tireless efforts of officials, governors, investigation committees and national bodies working to confront and overcome them relentlessly.

You saw the significant steps we have taken across various tracks where improvement has become a daily reality, not limited to the economic sphere, but extending to all aspects of life. You saw with your own eyes the new Syria where the Syrian government facilitated for the Security Council a meeting with representatives of civil society in an atmosphere of freedom, full freedom. You saw the new Syria that celebrates its religious and ethnic diversity and regards it as a source of strength and richness.

Distinguished colleagues, although you spent only few hours in Damascus, I am fully confident that you sensed its profound civilizational depth. Every stone and corner of Damascus tells a story. The story of Syria that you witnessed during your visit is a story written by Syrians with their own blood, their pride and their dignity. More than ever today, they are determined to complete that story. Thank you, Mr. President.

I think the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Lebanon.

Mr. President, allow me at the outset to thank you for convening this session. I also thank Algeria, Slovenia and Denmark, the colleagues and all the Council members for organizing this timely and substantive visit to to Lebanon. I must also commend the work of the Secretariat and all members of the mission that led to the successful conducting of this visit. Mr. President, the visit provided the Council, this esteemed Council, an opportunity to hear the positions of Lebanon's political authority at the highest levels and to observe Lebanon's efforts to assert state authority, deploy the Lebanese army across the country, ensure the monopoly of arms, launch reconstruction efforts, and demonstrate serious commitment to fully implementing Resolution 1701 and the Declaration of cessation of hostilities.

We hope that your meetings with the leadership of the army and UNIFIL had achieved the intended impact, offering you a comprehensive view of the situation on the ground throughout Lebanon, particularly in the south and the Arctic. Army's commitment to its deployment plan and arms exclusivity in guaranteeing the implementation of government decisions and Resolution 1701 and the cessation of hostilities. However, daily Israeli violations remain among the most pressing challenges, threatening to undermine the Lebanese government's credibility before its people. In safeguarding Lebanon's security, safety and sovereignty, it is essential to recall this Council's responsibilities and the need for the Council to assume them in light of these developments and the grave threats posed by the Israeli government's calls for renewed escalation. Mr. President, I reiterate what the President of the Republic told you during the visit and I quote, we have made that decision and there is no turning back.

Lebanon has chosen negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is convinced that wars cannot yield positive results and that only negotiations can create the conditions leading to stability and security and resolve outstanding issues. From the standpoint, a civilian was appointed as head of the Lebanese delegation to the Enhanced Mechanism. Our current effort is to ensure respect for the cessation of hostilities and provide all objective conditions for the Enhanced Mechanism to verify submitted complaints in order to achieve the desired goals and to enable the Lebanese government to implement parallel plans for political, economic, financial and social reforms, all of which constitute a sustainable guarantee for security stability in Lebanon and its surroundings, in addition to launching reconstruction efforts and facilitate the return of displaced Lebanese to their towns after Israel withdraws from occupied area and releases prisoners and detainees. Mr. President, you also heard Lebanon reaffirm its determination to make the most of UNIFIL's remaining mandate and continue cooperation with UNIFIL to ensure also the safety and security of its mission and personnel and condemn the attacks against unifil.

Likewise, Lebanon is committed to facilitating the orderly and safe withdrawal of UNIFIL in implementation of Resolution 2790. Here we stress the need to avoid any security vacuum in southern Lebanon or its territorial waters, especially during the transitional phase when our armed forces are striving to deploy and assume their responsibilities. Such a vacuum, if it occurs, would not serve regional peace and security. Therefore, given history and reality, Lebanon sees the necessity of maintaining an international force whose core tasks include, among other things, the guaranteeing and preserving the Blue Line, monitoring the implementation of Resolution 1701 and reporting on it facilitating the resolution of the 13 disputed points along the border leading to the full demarcation of international boundaries after Israel withdraws from occupied territories and lifts imposed buffer zones. Fourth de escalation and prevention of clashes.

Naturally, there is a need to provide support to the Lebanese army bilaterally or multilaterally. In this regard, we look forward to the announcement made by the French government this morning about organizing a conference to support the Lebanese army in February 2026 in coordination with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United States of America. We deeply appreciate their constructive efforts in this context. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Lebanon for the statement.

There no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The meeting is adjourned.