Naqoura, Lebanon – The Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Major-General Paolo Serra, said that he will convene, on Wednesday 25 April, a special tripartite meeting with senior officials from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) at the UN Position at Ras Al Naqoura crossing.

"The focus of this meeting will be on one issue – IDF patrol road construction works in the area of Shab'a farms and the need to preserve stability in this area," he said. "Maintaining calm along the Line of Withdrawal is a critical objective of UNIFIL's mandate. UNIFIL needs to do everything possible, together with the parties, to ensure that we prevent any unwanted escalation, deconflict critical situations and maintain the cessation of hostilities".

"The agreement of both parties to hold a special tripartite meeting on this issue demonstrates good will and the importance that both attach to keeping the situation in the area under control and to avoiding any rise in tensions," he added, "I hope that the meeting will result in a full understanding on how to decrease tensions and avoid escalation".