Lebanese Minister of Justice visits UNIFIL HQ, tours Blue Line

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4 May 2019

Lebanese Minister of Justice visits UNIFIL HQ, tours Blue Line

Lebanon’s Minister of Justice Albert Serhan, heading a 12-member delegation of senior judges, visited UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura today, where he was welcomed by UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col, and toured the Blue Line.

 

Upon arrival in Naqoura, Maj. Gen. Del Col greeted and conferred with Minister Serhan and the accompanying delegation. Discussions touched on the situation in UNIFIL’s area of operations and along the Blue Line, where Minister Serhan praised the ongoing cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).

 

"I acknowledge valuable efforts and vital role of the Minister and the Judiciary in fostering the rule of law and extending State authority at the national level as well as within UNIFIL area of operations,” said Maj. Gen. Del Col. “UNIFIL stands ready to extend any assistance required in this regard, of course within the limits of its mandate.”

 

Briefing the visiting delegation, Maj. Gen. Del Col highlighted the importance of the liaison, coordination and tripartite mechanism in mitigating tensions or incidents along the Blue Line, commending the ongoing cooperation between UNIFIL and the LAF, which has helped ensure 13 years of overall calm and stability in UNIFIL’s 1,060 square kilometre area of operation.

 

 Later in the day, the delegation – which also included Judge Jean Fahed, President of the Supreme Judicial Council; Judge Imad Kabalan, Acting Prosecutor General of the State; Judge Saqr Saqr, President of Cassation Military Court; Brigadier General Hussein Abdallah, President of the Permanent Military Court; Judge Peter Germanous, Government Commissioner to Military Court; Judge Fadi Sawsan, 1st Investigation Judge; Rahif Ramadan, Attorney General for the South; Judge Ghada Alwan, Attorney General for Nabatiye; Judge Ziyad Abo Haidar, Attorney General for Beirut; Judge Jean Tannous, Attorney General for Financial Affairs; and Judge Ahmad Mizher, President of the Court for Real Estate Affairs– conducted a tour of the Blue Line and received briefings on the issues relating to security and stability along the 120-km Line.

 

Today’s visit is Minister Serhan’s maiden visit to UNIFIL HQ since assuming office as Minister of Justice earlier this year.