UNIFIL Force Commander visits Minister of Defence

16 Dec 2014

UNIFIL Force Commander visits Minister of Defence

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Luciano Portolano today called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Samir Moqbel in Beirut.

Discussions focused on the situation in UNIFIL’s area of operations and issues related to the implementation of UNIFIL’s mandate under UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Following the meeting, Major-General Portolano said: “We had a very productive meeting. I assured the Minister of my firm support and commitment to our mandated tasks under resolution 1701. We must continue to work shoulder-to-shoulder with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and build on our strategic partnership that has grown stronger and effective in preventing incidents and finding solutions to problems. I have the highest esteem and admiration for the formidable commitment of LAF soldiers and officers, and the sacrifices they are making for their country under very challenging circumstances.”

In this context, I assured the Honourable Minister of our continued support in strengthening LAF’s capacity; I particularly emphasized the need for the international community to provide the necessary technical and material resources to the LAF so that it can effectively deliver on its important tasks under resolution 1701.”