During his visit to the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura today, Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) General Joseph Aoun discussed with the UN Mission’s leadership enhanced coordinated activities between LAF and UNIFIL in the area between the Litani River and the Blue Line in south Lebanon.

The Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Michael Beary welcomed the visit and the deployment of additional LAF forces in the area of operations. He emphasized the importance of strong collaboration between UNIFIL and LAF to respond to incidents and violations effectively and in a timely manner. 

He also congratulated the LAF Commander for his leadership and the LAF’s achievements in the recent military campaign in the northeastern parts of the country. He offered his deepest condolences on the losses suffered.

The LAF and UNIFIL are strategic partners in implementing the mandated tasks under UN Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and 2373 of 30 August 2017, which extended the mandate for another year. 

UNIFIL and LAF are working closely to further enhance coordinated efforts that have helped keep an unprecedented 11-years of stability in the area of operations. 

UNIFIL has around 10,500 peacekeepers coming from 41 troop-contributing countries. The Mission maintains an intensive level of some 13,500 operational activities per month. UNIFIL is also complemented by a seven-vessel strong Maritime Task Force.