UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Luciano Portolano continued his meetings with high-ranking Lebanese officials in Beirut today as part of his farewell call with the authorities.

Today, Major-General Portolano called on, separately, the Lebanese Minister of Interior, Nohad El Machnouk, and the Director General of the General Security, Major-General Abbas Ibrahim.

During these meetings, Major-General Portolano expressed his most sincere gratitude to the Lebanese authorities for their unwavering support and appreciation for the work of the UN Mission and to him personally.

After today’s meetings with the Interior Minister and the General Director of the General Security, the UNIFIL Head of Mission said: “I took the opportunity to emphasize my profound appreciation for the Lebanese Security Forces. They have remained committed to the mandate of UN Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), backed up by the political leadership.” And he added:” I was extremely pleased to hear the leaders expressing their appreciation for the excellent relations UNIFIL peacekeepers have with the population in support of preserving peace and stability and working shoulder to shoulder with the Lebanese Armed Forces”

Earlier in the week, Major-General Portolano also met with the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Tammam Salam, LAF Commander General Jean Khawaji, Minister of Environment Mohammad Machnouk and Major-General Ibrahim Basbous of the Internal Security Forces (ISF).

Major-General Portolano is leaving UNIFIL next month after two years at the helm of the UN peacekeeping mission.