The United States has kicked off consultations with other members of the United Nations Security Council in order to determine the feasibility of amending the duties of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to include counter-terrorism, sources in New York told Asharq Al-Awsat. The proposal is part of apparent efforts by the administration of US President Donald Trump to increase pressure on “Hezbollah” in Lebanon, they added. A diplomatic source exclusively revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley had held talks on UNIFIL with UN chief Antonio Guterres and US Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, whose mission ends this month. She also held talks with diplomats of Security Council member-states. The source explained that the US based its demand on other peacekeeping missions that have also been tasked with fighting terrorism, such as the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). France, and Europe in general, as well as Russia, “dealt cautiously” with the US proposal, because, if approved, it could “impede efforts to rebuild Lebanese institutions.” The US suggestion coincided with Guterres’ release of his latest report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701. The 20-page report, which was compiled by Feltman and obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, stated that the crisis in the region still poses a danger to Lebanon’s stability. He urged all Lebanese powers to take tangible steps to respect the country’s policy of disassociation that calls against intervening in the affairs of other countries. He noted Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s announcement in late 2017 that the policy protects Lebanon from external wars. Moreover, Guterres said that the unauthorized visits of foreign militia members to southern Lebanon undermine the authority of the Lebanese state and contradict the spirit of the disassociation policy. He also called on Lebanese sides and citizens to cease their involvement in the Syrian war, noting at the same time the decrease in shelling and attacks from Lebanese border areas against Syria. He did however condemn the flow of fighters and military equipment across the Lebanese-Syrian border in violation of resolution 1701. The lack of demarcation of the border does not justify the violation of Lebanese sovereignty by any side. The UN chief therefore demanded all concerned powers to cease border violations and respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Furthermore, he remarked that the Lebanese army was still trying to prove itself in imposing state authority throughout Lebanese territory. The presence of unlicensed weapons in the hands of “Hezbollah” remains a source of serious concern and must be condemned, he continued. Those arms, he warned, along with the threatening rhetoric only increases the possibilities of a miscalculation and an escalation taking place that could lead to war. He therefore called for restraint to be exercised at all times, demanding the Beirut government to take all necessary measures to ensure the complete implementation of all related articles related to the Taef Accord and resolutions 1559 and 1680. The resolutions demand the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, in accordance to a government decision taken on July 27, 2006, which said that the state must be the sole authority that can possess weapons in the country. Guterres welcomed President Michel Aoun’s statements that recognized the importance of dialogue to devise a national defense strategy aimed at bolstering stability and unity in Lebanon. He called on Lebanese authorities to resume national dialogue to come up with the strategy that should tackle the presence of gunmen and armed groups outside the control of the state. The Lebanese army is the only legitimate protector of the country’s security, sovereignty and safety of its land. In addition, he urged the implementation of previous national dialogue decisions, especially those on the disarmament of non-Lebanese armed groups. Turning to tensions between Lebanon and Israel, he said that UNIFIL is still fulfilling its duties, remarking however that the relative calm on the Blue Line, which designates the border between the two neighbors, should not be taken for granted. He warned Lebanon and Israel against taking unilateral measures that could increase the lack of trust and lead to a miscalculation. Furthermore, he expressed his concern over volatile rhetoric, especially in regards to the Lebanese-Israeli dispute over the Exclusive Economic Zone. He reiterated the demand against taking unilateral action that could lead to dangerous escalation that may affect Lebanese and regional stability. Guterres also condemned Israel’s ongoing flyovers over Lebanon, saying that they are a clear violation of resolution 1701.