Interview at Télé Lumière-Noursat ahead of the “Medical Day” in Tripoli.
How does the “Medical Day” in Tripoli fit into the activities of UNIFIL and MIBIL?
For UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), the primary mandate is to maintain security and monitor the cessation of hostilities in southern Lebanon, according to the UN Security Council Resolution 1701. At the same time, a central component of UNIFIL’s mission is to build trust and cooperation with local communities. Here is why initiatives such as the “Medical Day” in Tripoli are of fundamental importance: they help improve people’s living conditions, foster relationships grounded in dialogue and mutual respect, reduce tensions, and ultimately facilitate the implementation of the mission’s mandate. The “Medical Day” highlights the human dimension of UNIFIL’s presence.
As for MIBIL (the Italian Bilateral Military Mission in Lebanon), its work reflects Italy’s long-standing tradition of supporting both the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Lebanese population. The “Medical Day” offers a valuable opportunity to further strengthen the long-established bond of friendship and solidarity between the two countries, demonstrating the Italian contingent’s commitment not only to security, but also to the well-being of the Lebanese from all groups and denominations.
Cooperation with religious and civil authorities, as well as with partners who have deep roots and credibility within local communities, such as the Religion & Security Council, is essential to ensuring the effectiveness and success of the initiative.
In light of the challenges Lebanon is facing, what is the relationship between security and humanitarian initiatives?
The complementarity of the security efforts of UNIFIL and MIBIL with socially oriented activities is essential in the Lebanese context. Lebanon is dealing with a multidimensional crisis. In such a scenario, security must be understood beyond the military dimension.
First of all, there is “human security”, the safety of individuals. Humanitarian initiatives address threats to people such as disease, lack of medical care, and poverty. A population that is desperate and without hope becomes fertile ground for instability. By improving living conditions, one reduces the space in which hostile narratives can take root.
There is also the component of trust and legitimacy. Armored vehicles and checkpoints provide physical and immediate security. But “Medical Days” or school reconstruction projects build a form of security rooted in positive perceptions and a sense of reliability, which generates public confidence. This happens when local communities see peacekeepers and Italian soldiers as individuals who genuinely help others out of solidarity, inspiring hope for a better future.
Overall, this can be described as holistic stabilization. Military security and human security cannot be separated: they are two sides of the same coin. A purely military approach, in times of crisis, inevitably leads to long periods of stalemate. Initiatives such as the “Medical Day” are concrete investments in durable and sustainable security.
Only through tangible actions that directly benefit the population can the complementarity between security operations and social support prevent the mission from being perceived as a distant or foreign presence, detached from the real needs of the people.
What is your point of view on the upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to Lebanon? What meaning does it hold for the country and for the region?
The visit of Pope Leo XIV carries a profound and multilayered significance. First and foremost, it is a powerful message of unity and support addressed to a country that has historically been a crossroads of religions and cultures, but is today torn by insecurity and instability. The Pope intends to encourage all the people of Lebanon – without distinction – to work together for the common good.
Lebanon has long been experiencing a period of deep uncertainty, marked by suffering, economic collapse, and the massive emigration of its youth. In this context, the visit of Pope Leo XIV represents a spiritual and moral “balm”: a gesture of solidarity toward all those who are struggling, meant to inspire them to remain steadfast and continue working for peace and dialogue.
At the same time, as in the case of Pope John Paul II in 1997, the visit of Pope Leo XIV is meant to extend its impact far beyond Lebanon’s borders. It will stand as an appeal for peace and dialogue throughout the Middle East, and it will speak as well to the international community, reminding it not to abandon Lebanon at such a critical juncture and urging renewed efforts to help overcome the region’s conflicts in light of the gravity of the current situation.
