The Head of United Nations Peacekeeping Mr. Hervé Ladsous today travelled to Israel and met with key Israeli government officials and representatives of the Israel Defense Forces. Mr. Ladsous was accompanied by UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Paolo Serra, among others.

Talks between the USG and Israeli leaders included issues related to the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and the situation along the Blue Line.

After the meetings, Mr. Ladsous said: "In all my contacts with the Israeli leaders, I emphasized the need to maintain calm in the region, preserve stability and work with UNIFIL in the implementation of resolution 1701."

The Israeli officials, he said, had expressed to him their strong interest in maintaining stability and reiterated their commitment to resolution 1701. "I was encouraged in my meetings with the leaders," the top UN peacekeeping official said.