A ceremony to mark the occasion will be held at UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, South Lebanon in the morning of 19 March.

UNIFIL was created by the UN Security Council resolutions 425 and 426 of 19 March 1978, to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security and assist the Lebanese Government in restoring its effective authority in the area.

Following the July/August 2006 war, the Security Council, by its resolution 1701 of 11 August 2006, enhanced the Force and decided that in addition to the original mandate, it would, among other things, monitor the cessation of hostilities, accompany and support the Lebanese Armed Forces as they deploy throughout the south of Lebanon as Israel withdraws its armed forces, and extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.