Beirut:MP Melhem Khalaf has issued a warning about the serious consequences that could follow the withdrawal of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) from South Lebanon. He emphasized the potential risks of losing the UN's protective presence in the region.

According to National news agency - Lebanon, Khalaf highlighted that UN Security Council Resolution 2790 involves interconnected obligations, particularly concerning the verification of Israel's withdrawal and the transfer of UNIFIL positions to the Lebanese Army.

Khalaf posed a critical question regarding the feasibility of the Lebanese Army taking over 33 UNIFIL positions along the Blue Line while these areas remain under Israeli occupation. He argued that these circumstances make the implementation of the resolution impossible and suggested that it should be reconsidered by the Security Council within the next three weeks.

He urged Lebanese authorities to persist in advocating for an extension of UNIFIL's mandate until the very last moment. Khalaf warned that without UNIFIL, Lebanon would face Israeli occupation without its armed forces being sufficiently developed to exercise sovereignty across the country.

Furthermore, Khalaf underscored UNIFIL's role in maintaining stability and ensuring connectivity between the southern villages of Debel, Ain Ebel, and Rmeish with the rest of Lebanon. He expressed concern over who would safeguard these crucial links if the force were to withdraw.