UNIFIL Press Statement on Tripartite Meeting, 9 May 2012

23 Aug 2012

UNIFIL Press Statement on Tripartite Meeting, 9 May 2012

The Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Major-General Paolo Serra, today chaired a regular tripartite meeting with senior officials from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) at the UN Position at Ras Al Naqoura crossing.

During the meeting, issues relevant to the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701 were discussed, including the situation along the Blue Line, the ongoing visible marking of the Blue Line, violations and incidents as well as the issue of withdrawal of Israeli forces from northern Ghajar.

Also on the agenda was a discussion on the construction of the wall by the Israeli in the general area near the town of Kafr Kila. The approximately one kilometre long security wall will replace the technical fence on the same line as the existing fence.

In this regard UNIFIL Force Commander proposed that additional measurements should be carried out on the ground to avoid misunderstandings that could create tension in this sensitive area.

A UNIFIL technical team will start carrying out measurements in the coming days.

Following the tripartite meeting, Major-General Serra said: "I appreciate the continuous efforts that both parties have exerted to resolve the issue and to prevent tensions from building up in the work area. After all, this project was designed to improve the security in the area and therefore, we cannot allow a de-conflicting project to become a source of conflict in one of the most sensitive areas."

He added: "It was a constructive meeting. Both parties expressed their full support and commitment to work together with UNIFIL for the implementation of the relevant provisions of resolution 1701 and to maintain calm in the area."