United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson visited the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) where he met with Force Commander Major-General Paolo Serra and the Mission's senior leadership. The Deputy Secretary-General was accompanied by the Assistant Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Post-2015 Development Planning Ms. Amina Mohammed and the Under Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN- ESCWA) Ms. Rima Khalaf.

At the Mission headquarters in southern Lebanon, Mr Eliasson was briefed about UNIFIL's operations in southern Lebanon and visited the Western Sector of UNIFIL's deployment where he received a briefing from UNIFIL officials.

During his visit, the Deputy Secretary-General emphasized the need for continued coordinated operations with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): "Cooperation between LAF and UNIFIL is critical for the successful implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701" and he added, "the continued support and assistance of the international community to the LAF is therefore vital".

Mr. Eliasson lauded UNIFIL's contribution to peace and security in the area: "South Lebanon has witnessed a period of unprecedented calm thanks to the work of the mission, the strong liaison and coordination arrangements, the commitment of the parties as well as the excellent peacekeeping partnership between the LAF and UNIFIL. All these elements are critical to maintaining stability in the area at a time of heightened tensions in the region".

Mr. Eliasson will meet with Lebanese officials in Beirut later in the week, and will also chair the 17th UN Regional Coordination Mechanism for the Arab States.

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