The Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Major-General Michael Beary, today met with the Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, in Beirut.

This was Major-General Beary’s first meeting with the Speaker after he assumed command of UNIFIL on 19 July.

UNIFIL Head of Mission briefed the Speaker on the situation along the Blue Line and UNIFIL’s engagement with the people of South Lebanon in efforts, together with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), to maintain security and stability in the area within the framework of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).

Following the meeting, the UNIFIL Force Commander said: “I was extremely encouraged by the warm reception and strong words of support I received today from the Speaker. I assured him of UNIFIL’s firm resolve to continue working with the local authorities as well as with all the relevant Ministries to facilitate the extension of state authority in UNIFIL’s area of operations.”

And he added: “I told the Speaker that one of my central priorities is to reach out to the people of the south whose safety is at the heart of our operations. Preserving stability through UNIFIL’s continued operations on the ground is of paramount importance, but this goal can be accomplished only by working together with the people of south Lebanon who have warmly welcomed and hosted the peacekeepers.”

“I assured the Speaker of my firm commitment to our mandated tasks under resolution 1701. The accomplishments that we have witnessed and worked on in close coordination with the LAF for the last 10 years need to be treasured, preserved and strengthened.”