29 May 2011 - UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Alberto Asarta Cuevas today visited the injured peacekeepers at Hammoud hospital in Saida and conveyed to them his wishes and those of the UNIFIL family for a quick recovery.

Major-General Asarta, who returned to his Command cutting short his leave abroad following Friday's attack gainst a UNIFIL logistics convoy near Saida that injured six peacekeepers, said: "All our six soldiers have shown improvement in their medical condition although one is still in intensive care. Their early recovery is most important to all of us."

The Force Commander said that the investigation into the attack is proceeding in coordination with the Lebanese authorities as a matter of utmost priority.

"UNIFIL has taken and will continue to take the appropriate security measures to ensure the safety and security of its members as they carry out their mandated tasks," he said.

"The tasks we all undertook under UN Security Council resolution 1701 to bring peace and stability to south Lebanon will not be derailed," Major-General Asarta stressed.

At the same time, the Force Commander expressed gratitude to the Lebanese community of all levels and affiliations for the messages of condemnation and outrage over the attack. He particularly thanked the Lebanese Armed
Forces and the doctors at the Hammoud hospital for their cooperation and assistance in the wake of the incident.

"We are heartened by such show of support," he said.