The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) affirmed that the UN's decision to reduce its peacekeeping forces by a quarter in 11 operations worldwide in the coming months due to budget shortfalls will impact the force's activities in southern Lebanon.
In her remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), UNIFIL Spokesperson Kandice Ardiel said: "We are still studying what the peacekeeping budget shortfalls will mean for UNIFIL, but we know we will have to make some difficult decisions. We are finalizing our plans, but we know this will directly impact our activities and require adjustments."
"Nonetheless, we will do everything possible to mitigate the effects and will work closely with Lebanese authorities and our troop-contributing countries to implement any changes in the least disruptive way possible," she added.
Concluding her remarks to QNA, she affirmed the commitment to continuing to implement the core tasks stipulated in UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and to continuing coordination with the Lebanese authorities and contributing countries to limit the repercussions of the resolution on the mission's work.
The United Nations is preparing to reduce the number of peacekeeping forces worldwide by 25 percent over the coming months, or between 13,000 and 14,000 soldiers and police, due to funding shortfalls following the US halving of its contribution. The reduction includes missions in countries including the Congo, Lebanon, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic.
