Press Release

Statement of UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert

14 February 2025

Beirut, Friday 14 February 2025

This evening’s attack on a UNIFIL convoy near Beirut Airport is unacceptable. Such an act of violence threatens the safety of United Nations staff who work tirelessly to maintain stability in Lebanon, sometimes at great personal risk.

The United Nations remains committed to working with the Lebanese Government and all relevant stakeholders to preserve stability and implement United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 (2006). A full, transparent investigation must urgently be pursued to bring the perpetrators to justice.

We wish UNIFIL colleagues involved in the incident a speedy recovery.

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Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert

UNSCOL

UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert is the current UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon. She brings to this position over 25 years of experience in diplomacy, international security and Middle East affairs. Prior to taking up her position in Lebanon, Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert served as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of UNAMI (2018-2024). Previously she was Minister of Defense of the Netherlands (2012-2017), a member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands (2010-2012), and a member of the European Parliament (2004-2010). Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert also worked for the European Commission in Belgium and Latvia, as well as for the City of Amsterdam and in the private sector. She is proficient in English, French and German and is a native Dutch speaker.

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UNSCOL

Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon

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