Naqoura, Lebanon – Lebanese President Michel Sleiman today paid a visit to the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at Naqoura in southern Lebanon.

President Sleiman expressed the appreciation of the Lebanese people for the peacekeepers, particularly that there is consensus on supporting UNIFIL.

UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Alberto Asarta Cuevas welcomed the President to UNIFIL, saying that his visit was "a demonstration of Lebanon's support and commitment to United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 and to our strategic partnership with the Lebanese Army. The achievements reached so far are testament to the excellent relations and cooperation that exist between the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL".

Major-General Asarta briefed President Sleiman on the work of the peacekeepers and stressed the importance of the ongoing coordinated operations between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army. The Force Commander stressed that UNIFIL will continue working in pursuit of the common shared mandate for peace and security in southern Lebanon.

The President was accompanied during his visit by the Commander of the Lebanese Army, General Jean Kahwagi, and other senior officers of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

***

For further information, please contact the UNIFIL Public Information Office:
Deputy Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti: +961 1 827 068; +961 70910064 (cell); email: tenenti@un.org
Fax: +961 1 827 016

View the UNIFIL website: http://unifil.unmissions.org