UNIFIL Force Commander meets Prime Minister Salam

1 Sep 2014

UNIFIL Force Commander meets Prime Minister Salam

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Luciano Portolano today called on Prime Minister Tammam Salam in Beirut.

Following the meeting, Major-General Portolano said: "I had a very good meeting with the Prime Minister. We discussed the situation in southern Lebanon and I briefed him on UNIFIL's efforts together with the Lebanese Armed Forces to maintain calm and stability in our area of operations and along the Blue Line."

"This being our first meeting after I assumed Command of UNIFIL, I assured the Prime Minister of my intent to ensure continuity in UNIFIL's operations and my own personal commitment to Lebanon and to UN Security Council resolution 1701. I told him that UNIFIL will continue to work in close cooperation with the Lebanese authorities, particularly the Lebanese Armed Forces, to build on the foundations of peace and security that we have together been able to lay."

"I was encouraged to hear from the Prime Minister very strong words of support to UNIFIL and the work we are doing on the ground, as well as reaffirmation of his government's commitment to the implementation of resolution 1701. The support and involvement of the government of Lebanon are essential for the success of our mission."