UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Michael Beary today visited the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri in Beirut.

During the meeting, Major General Beary congratulated the Speaker on the recent political breakthroughs, namely the election of a new President and the formation of a new Government.

He expressed his hope for the positive effects of these developments in UNIFIL’s area of operations in south Lebanon.

The UNIFIL head briefed the Speaker on the last Tripartite meeting held in Ras Naqoura on 15 December and on the situation along the Blue Line in south Lebanon.

Major General Beary reiterated his appreciation of the ongoing partnership and collaboration between UNIFIL peacekeepers and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) which has contributed to a decade of calm and stability.

He underlined the essential role played by the local authorities in the fulfillment of UNIFIL’s mandate under the UN Security Council resolution 1701.

“I briefed the Speaker on my latest series of meetings with local authorities and religious leaders in south Lebanon and stressed the importance of cooperation between UN peacekeepers and the host community whose safety is at the heart of our operations,” said the UNIFIL Force Commander in his comments at the end of his meeting.

“The understanding and support of the people of south Lebanon is one of my central priorities.”

“I thanked Speaker Berri for his personal attention to our concerns and his appreciation of UNIFIL’s role in furthering our common goal for security and stability in southern Lebanon. I expressed the hope that the efforts towards a more permanent peace can also take place.”

Earlier today, the UNIFIL commander also met separately with LAF Commander General Jean Kahwaji in the Lebanese capital. The two discussed the continued cooperation between LAF and UNIFIL peacekeepers in south Lebanon.