The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Samir Moqbel, and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander, General Jean Kahwaji, paid a visit today to the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, south Lebanon.

UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Luciano Portolano welcomed Minister Moqbel to UNIFIL and expressed his appreciation for the Minister's initiative to visit the Mission. This is Minister Moqbel's first visit to UNIFIL since Maj.-Gen. Portolano took office in July 2014.

Major-General Portolano briefed Minister Moqbel and Gen. Kahwaji on the work of the Mission and stressed the importance of ongoing coordinated operations between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army.

"I am deeply grateful and honored for the visit. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to you and to the Government of Lebanon for the continued cooperation and support to UNIFIL. Much that has been achieved in the region to date is a testament to the excellent relations and cooperation that exist between the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL." Maj.-Gen. Portolano said.

"The Minister's presence sends a very powerful message in support of the Mission and shows the strong commitment of the Lebanese Government for UNIFIL's mandate. The Strategic Dialogue Plan remains an integral part of the overall LAF capability development plan. It is essential that the LAF gets the technical and material resources it requires to fulfil its vital responsibilities. The continued support and assistance of the international community to the LAF is therefore vitally important," added the Force Commander.

Earlier, on arrival, Minister Moqbel inspected a Guard of Honour presented by UNIFIL troops.