UNIFIL Force Commander meets Lebanese leaders in Beirut

19 Dec 2014

UNIFIL Force Commander meets Lebanese leaders in Beirut

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Luciano Portolano today called on Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Minister of Interior Nuhad Mashnouk in Beirut.

Discussions focused on the situation in UNIFIL's area of operations and issues related to the implementation of UNIFIL's mandate under UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Following the meetings, Major-General Portolano said: "I was very encouraged by my meetings with the leaders today. They had strong words of support for UNIFIL and the work we are doing on the ground, and they reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to the implementation of resolution 1701."

"We discussed the situation in southern Lebanon and I briefed the leaders on the discussions at the last tripartite meeting on Wednesday, where the commitment of the parties to maintain calm along the Blue Line was amply evident. Our combined efforts with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have been key to ensuring this continued calm in the south."

"I expressed my most sincere appreciation for the support UNIFIL, and I personally, have been receiving from the government and state institutions as well as religious leaders and local authorities in southern Lebanon. The leaders were particularly appreciative of the excellent relations UNIFIL peacekeepers have with the local population, and I emphasized this as a priority we diligently pursue and cherish."