UNITED NATIONS — The
United Nations welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and
Lebanon, a senior UN official said in a statement.
The agreement marks the starting point of a critical
process, anchored in the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), to
restore the safety and security that civilians on both sides of the Blue Line
deserve, said Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN special coordinator for
Lebanon, on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported.
The UN statement came hours after Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the nation's security cabinet approved a
ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
Considerable work lies ahead to ensure the agreement
endures, Hennis-Plasschaert said, adding, "Nothing less than the full and
unwavering commitment of both parties is required."
It is clear that the status quo ante of implementing only
select provisions of resolution 1701 (2006), while paying lip service to
others, will not suffice, she noted. "Neither side can afford another
period of disingenuous implementation under the guise of ostensible calm."
Hennis-Plasschaert commended the parties on "seizing
the opportunity to close this devastating chapter."
"Now is the time to deliver, through concrete actions,
to consolidate today's achievement," she said.
