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Dear Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz and the mission leadership,

Dear Team UNIFIL,

It is such an honour to be with you after one of the most challenging periods imaginable.

I told the world that all of you are not just on the Blue Line of Lebanon, you are on the front line of peace.

قال مفوض الأمم المتحدة السامي لحقوق الإنسان فولكر تورك إن انتخاب رئيس جديد للجمهورية اللبنانية وتكليف رئيس وزراء وكسر الجمود السياسي الذي استمر عامين "يفتح الباب أمام إصلاحات من شأنها أن تتيح مستقبلا أفضل لجميع اللبنانيين الذين عانوا سنوات من البؤس الاجتماعي والاقتصادي".

ومن العاصمة بيروت التي يزورها لأول مرة بصفته مفوض سامٍ، قال السيد تورك إنه يرى في البلاد بوادرَ بدايات جديد، وعلى الرغم من التحديات الهائلة، أكد شعوره "بأن بالأمل يلوح في الأفق".

In the wake of Wednesday’s announcement of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas due to come into effect on Sunday, displaced Gazans – ground down by 15 months of devastating conflict – have told UN News they hope an end to their suffering is in sight. 

Around 90 per cent of the population across the Gaza Strip have been displaced from their homes, forced to move to avoid Israeli military operations. Many have been displaced repeatedly, some 10 times or more.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres will travel to Lebanon later this week for a solidarity visit with the country and its people, his Spokesperson announced on Monday during his daily briefing from New York. 

Mr. Guterres will meet Lebanese political leaders.  He is also expected to travel to the south to see the UN peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, and express his support and thanks for the work they have been doing in very challenging circumstances.

Syrians have high expectations for their country, and a strong desire for people from across the social spectrum to come together and forge a new constitution, which must begin with an inclusive “national dialogue”.

That’s according to Najat Rochdi, the UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, who is in Damascus meeting several members of the transitional authorities to ensure all Syrians are able to participate in the country’s future, which is struggling to cope with an acute humanitarian crisis and faltering economy.

The Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, has announced a $30 million allocation from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) to address urgent humanitarian needs stemming from the recent conflict and support displaced populations and communities returning to affected areas.

The United Nations has welcomed the election of a President in Lebanon.

General Joseph Aoun was declared President on Thursday following voting in Lebanon's parliament.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated the new leader as he takes up his functions, saying this is a critical step towards overcoming Lebanon’s political and institutional impasse after over two years of presidential vacuum. 

The UN and the Government of Lebanon unveiled a $371.4 million extension of the Lebanon Flash Appeal on Tuesday aiming to provide life-saving assistance to civilians affected by the recent conflict and ongoing humanitarian crisis. 

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for making 2025 “a new beginning” in his message for the New Year, issued on Monday.

The UN Special Envoy for Syria continues to uphold the need for a Syrian-led transition in his ongoing talks on the way forward for the country. 

Geir Pedersen has been meeting with French, German and Russian authorities, the UN reported on Monday, which includes engagement with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin this past weekend.