<h6><strong>The Diplomat</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Spanish government has welcomed the achievement of the objectives of Phase I of the restoration of the state monopoly on the use of force throughout Lebanon.</strong></h4> “The Government of Spain welcomes the statement from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) regarding the achievement of the objectives of Phase I of the restoration of the state monopoly on the use of force throughout the country,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared in a statement on Sunday, January 11. “Spain will continue to support the Lebanese authorities in advancing the next phases of the plan’s implementation, through UNIFIL (the UN mission), bilateral financial support, and the strengthening of the LAF’s capabilities,” it continued. Furthermore, “Spain urges all actors to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Lebanese State” and to “comply without exception with their obligations assumed in the ceasefire agreement and with Security Council Resolution 1701.” Finally, the Spanish Government maintains “its commitment to the stability of Lebanon” and will continue “working with European and regional partners to achieve stability and lasting peace in the Middle East,” the statement concludes. The Lebanese Army announced last Thursday that it has achieved the objective of effectively and tangibly controlling the arms monopoly south of the Litani River, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement reached in October 2024 with Israel, which includes the Lebanese Army's commitment to enforce the disarmament of the Shiite political party and militia Hezbollah. Phase I is taking place in the area south of the Litani River, where some 11,000 UNIFIL troops are deployed, including around 700 Spaniards. The UN mission is monitoring the implementation of the agreement on the ground. Israel, for its part, has committed to withdrawing its forces from southern Lebanon, although it maintains five military positions on Lebanese soil and frequently carries out bombings and attacks against alleged Hezbollah targets in response to suspected ceasefire violations.
