Beirut: National Food Systems Transformation Coordinator, MP Inaya Ezzeddine, handed a parliamentary petition signed by 86 members of parliament, calling for the extension of the UNIFIL mandate, to a number of international leaders and officials attending the first Global Summit on Conscious Food Systems. Ezzeddine also delivered a report documenting the damage and losses Lebanon has suffered as a result of the Israeli war.

According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the petition and report were received by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, whose country contributes troops to UNIFIL; former Irish President and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson; Mara Arizaga, head of the Wellbeing Unit at the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; Carlos Watson, director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub; and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

During the meeting, Ezzeddine stressed that Lebanon's support for maintaining the international force in southern Lebanon is based on the need to preserve an international presence in the region and uphold UN Security Council Resolution 1701. She said UNIFIL serves as an international witness to developments in the south, including Israeli violations and attacks, while helping keep the international community engaged in enforcing relevant resolutions and protecting Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ezzeddine cautioned that ending the international presence would leave Lebanon facing Israel from a position of unequal strength, while Israeli forces continue to occupy Lebanese territory and carry out attacks and violations.

Ezzeddine participated in the Global Summit on Conscious Food Systems alongside government leaders, international officials, experts and representatives of countries and international organizations. The summit focused on advancing food systems that are more sustainable, equitable and resilient in the face of crises.