French Foreign Minister visits UNIFIL HQ
The French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Jean-Marc Ayrault, visited the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, south Lebanon, today.
UNIFIL’s Deputy Head of Mission Imran Riza received Mr. Ayrault at the UNIFIL base. The Minister was accompanied by a number of senior French officials including Ambassador Emmanuel Bonne.
During the visit, Minister Ayrault discussed with UNIFIL leadership the current situation, the achievements in the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) over the last ten years, and the remaining challenges.
Mr. Ayrault was briefed on the close cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), the Strategic Dialogue to support LAF and the range of activities carried out by UNIFIL in implementing resolution 1701.
Mr. Riza thanked Minister Ayrault for “the invaluable and extensive contribution that France has made and continues to make to UNIFIL.”
On his part, Mr. Ayrault lauded UNIFIL’s role in maintaining peace and the unprecedented stability in its area of operations, assuring the continued support of France to UNIFIL.
While in Naqoura, Mr. Ayrault also met with members of the French contingent serving with UNIFIL.
France is one of the largest contributors of troops to UNIFIL’s more than 10,500 peacekeepers. It is also one of the oldest, having contributed troops continuously since the establishment of the Force in 1978. France also currently contributes to seven other UN peacekeeping operations.
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Video Editor: Suzane Badereddine
Video Camera: Mohamad Hamze
Photo: Pascual Gorriz Marcos
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