UNIFIL Force Commander meets Speaker Berri

2 Sep 2014

UNIFIL Force Commander meets Speaker Berri

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Luciano Portolano today called on the Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri in Beirut.

This was Major-General Portolano's first formal meeting with the Speaker after he assumed command of UNIFIL on 24 July.

Following the meeting, Major-General Portolano said: "I was very encouraged by the warm reception from the Speaker and his keen interest in the progress of UNIFIL's mission. We discussed the situation in southern Lebanon and the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701."

"I assured the Speaker of my firm commitment to our mandated tasks under resolution 1701. We must continue to build on our strategic partnership with the Lebanese Armed Forces that has stood the test of time and proved critical in establishing strong bulwarks against any destabilizing impulses along the Blue Line."

"Equally important in this endeavour has been the understanding and support of the people of south Lebanon whose safety is at the heart of our operations. I told the Speaker that one of my central priorities is to reach out to the people of the south in the same spirit of generosity they have displayed in hosting us in their midst. "

"Speaker Berri himself has been a beacon of support for UNIFIL over all these years. I thanked him 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."