UNIFIL Force Commander meets local leaders in South Lebanon

Religious leaders attend local authorities meeting at UNIFIL HQ in Naqoura, south Lebanon.

Major-General Luciano Portolano, UNIFIL Force Commander, welcomes General Ahmad Badran from the Lebanese Armed Forces in Naqoura, south Lebanon.

Local authorities meet with Major-General Luciano Portolano, at UNIFIL HQ.

Group photo of local authorities with Maj Gen Luciano Portolano after meeting in UNIFIL HQ, in Naqoura, south Lebanon.

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28 Aug 2014

UNIFIL Force Commander meets local leaders in South Lebanon

At the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura today, UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Luciano Portolano hosted religious leaders, local authorities, and commanders of the Lebanese Army and Security Forces based in the UNIFIL area of operations in southern Lebanon.

Major-General Portolano thanked the leaders and all the people of south Lebanon for their extraordinary hospitality to UNIFIL over the years, and to him personally since his arrival. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to introduce himself to the leaders and share some thoughts, underlining his intent to maintain close contacts with them.

"The success of UNIFIL relies on the support of the local community," he said. "My experience has taught me that durable peace cannot be imposed; it is won and cultivated through selfless effort, and by respecting and understanding the history, the needs and the minds of those we are here to serve."

Major-General Portolano pledged to work very hard to maintain the trust that the people of south Lebanon have generously put in UNIFIL, and sought the support of the leaders to ensure that UNIFIL "can continue to successfully support you in reaching the peace and prosperity you deserve."