Israeli army presence in Golan Heights challenges UN peacekeeping mandate: Official

The UN peacekeeping chief on Friday said the Israeli army’s presence in the demilitarized Golan Heights zone is creating challenges for the mission and called for its withdrawal, Anadolu Agency reports.

Noting the “significant changes in Syria” following the ouster of Assad regime, Jean-Pierre Lacroix stressed during a news conference that only the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) should be present in the area of separation, also known as the Golan Heights.

He said that Israeli army’s presence “has made it difficult and challenging for them (UNDOF) to implement their mandated activities.”

Citing his visits to both Syria and Israel, Lacroix noted positive discussions with the new Syrian government.

Regarding meetings with Israeli officials in Jerusalem, Lacroix said: “We have regular interaction with them on a number of issues.”

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“I obviously, reiterated our concern about the presence of the IDF (Israeli army) in the area of separation. It’s clearly a violation of the 1974 agreement between Israel and Syria,” he said.

Saying that he shared UNDOF’s complaints received from locals in the area, UN peacekeeping chief “expressed the importance of addressing these concerns and making sure that the safety, security properties, well-being of that population would have to be protected and preserved.”

“What I can say is that Israel has been indicating that this is a temporary presence (at the Golan Heights). Obviously, the sooner that presence, which is a violation, ends, the better,” he added.

Lacroix further described the situation in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as “tense and volatile, with occasional shooting continuing within the city (of Goma).”

“I would say that, overall, it’s calm has been is gradually restored,” he said, informing that majority of the water and electricity services have been restored in Goma.

He noted the challenge with unexploded ordnance, and said: “That is obviously an obstacle, a very serious obstacle to freedom movement.”

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