Lebanese FM meets UN special coordinator to discuss regional tensions

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raaggi met with UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, to discuss recent developments in the country and the region, according to an X post shared by Minister Raaggi. 

During the meeting, the officials explored ways to reduce tensions with Israel and discussed government measures aimed at strengthening national sovereignty and extending state authority across all Lebanese territory, Caliber.Az reports.

استقبلت المنسقةَ الخاصة للأمم المتحدة في لبنان جينين بلاسخارت وتم البحث بآخر التطورات على الصعيدَين اللبناني والإقليمي.كما تناقشنا حول سبل وقف التصعيد الإسرائيلي، وضرورة المضي في تنفيذ القرارات الحكومية الرامية إلى فرض سيادة الدولة وبسط سلطتها على كامل أراضيها. pic.twitter.com/xlrWfdlPxN

— Youssef Raggi (@YoussefRaggi) March 16, 2026

This meeting takes place against the backdrop of the ongoing U.S.–Israeli military operation against Iran (launched 28 February 2026) and its dangerous spillover into Lebanon.

The Lebanese government under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has taken a firm stance against Hezbollah’s independent military actions. On March 2, the cabinet formally banned Hezbollah’s military and security activities outside state control, restricting the group to political activities only.

The government has instructed the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to assert control south of the Litani River and prevent any attacks launched from Lebanese soil.

Multiple incidents have occurred involving UNIFIL peacekeepers in southern Lebanon (including attacks on patrols near Yater, Deir Kifa, and Klaoui), which the Foreign Ministry has condemned as violations of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Cross-border exchanges between Hezbollah elements and Israel have continued sporadically, despite the government’s efforts to de-escalate.

By Khagan Isayev