Naqoura, Lebanon – The Lebanese Minister of Defence, Mr. Elias Murr, and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander, General Jean Kahwaji, today paid a visit to the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) located in Naqoura, south Lebanon.

UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Claudio Graziano welcomed Minister Murr to UNIFIL and expressed appreciation for his initiative to visit the Mission.

"I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you my sincere thanks for both your and the Government of Lebanon's continued cooperation and support in southern Lebanon. Much that has been achieved in the region to date is testament to the excellent relations and cooperation that exist between the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL." Major-General Graziano said.

Major-General Graziano briefed Minister Murr on the work of peacekeepers and stressed the importance of the ongoing coordinated operations between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army. The two discussed the scope for taking forward this collaboration.

In his address, Minister Murr said: "We renew today the commitment of the Lebanese Government to UN Security Council resolution 1701 in all its articles and we renew the support of the Lebanese Government for UNIFIL Forces that are present in south Lebanon. Today, we reaffirm the cooperation between the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL".

Minister Murr also stressed the Army's commitment for "continuous coordination with UNIFIL."

Earlier, on arrival, Minister Murr inspected a Guard of Honour presented by UNIFIL troops and laid a wreath at the cenotaph in memory of the fallen peacekeepers. Before departure, he addressed the media present at the ceremony.

For further information, please contact Deputy Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti at the UNIFIL Public Information Office: Tel.: +961 1 827 068 (office); +961 70910064 (cell)
Fax: +961 1 827 016
Email: tenenti@un.org
View the UNIFIL website:
http://unifil.unmissions.org/