UNIFIL spokesperson: Deployment of peacekeepers in southern Lebanon has started to decrease.

Candice Adler, spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), stated on the 17th local time that due to overall budget cuts by the United Nations, UNIFIL has begun to reduce the number of peacekeepers deployed in southern Lebanon. She pointed out that the majority of the withdrawals will take place in the coming weeks. Adler emphasized that UNIFIL "will make every effort to minimize any negative impact caused by the funding shortage, and is working closely with Lebanese authorities and troop-contributing countries to implement these adjustments." She stated that UNIFIL's core mission will not change, and it will continue to monitor the situation along the "Blue Line", address violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and support the Lebanese Armed Forces.