President Michel Suleiman visits UNIFIL on 27 December 2008

Naqoura, Lebanon – The Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, 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 the President to UNIFIL and expressed appreciation for the visit to the Mission.

"Your presence here today Mr. President, is a fervent expression of your sustained support and commitment to United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 and to our strategic partnership with the Lebanese Army to continue endeavours in pursuit of our shared mandate for peace and security in southern Lebanon," Major-General Graziano said.

Major-General Graziano discussed with President Suleiman the work of peacekeepers and stressed the importance of the close cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army to ensure that the relevant provisions of resolution 1701 are fully implemented in the new year.

Earlier, on his arrival, the President inspected a UNIFIL Guard of Honour and laid a wreath at the cenotaph in memory of the fallen peacekeepers.

The President was accompanied during his visit by Minister of Defence, Mr. Elias Murr, the Commander of the Lebanese Army, General Jean Kahwagi, the Director of the Sureté General, Major General Wafic Jezzini and other senior representatives of the Lebanese Government and the Lebanese Armed Forces.

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