As part of his regional tour of UN peacekeeping forces in the Middle East, Mr. Edmond Mulet, Assistant Secretary-General for UN peacekeeping operations paid a two-day visit to UNIFIL. The focus of his visit was on UNIFIL's activities on the ground, especially the Mission's cooperation and strategic partnership with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the implementation of its mandate under UN Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).

On the first day of his visit, Mr. Mulet met with senior Lebanese officials in Beirut: Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, LAF Commander General Jean Kahwagi and the Lebanese Government Coordinator with UNIFIL Major-General Abdur Rehman Shehaitly. During the meetings, he was accompanied by the UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Paolo Serra.

Following the meetings, Mr. Mulet said: "I had very good meetings today. I used this opportunity to convey to the Lebanese leaders our appreciation for their efforts in the implementation of resolution 1701. I stressed on the cooperation between the LAF and UNIFIL, which is critical for the successful implementation of its mandate."

"I was very happy to hear from all my Lebanese interlocutors, their praise for the role UNIFIL is playing in maintaining security and stability in southern Lebanon. The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to resolution 1701 and to the cessation of hostilities. This is the message I will carry with me back to the UN headquarters.

On the second day of his visit, Mr. Mulet visited UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura. He met the UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Paolo Serra and senior officials of UNIFIL.

Mr. Mulet was briefed on UNIFIL's activities in southern Lebanon, as well as its coordinated operations with the LAF. He made a helicopter tour of the Blue Line and visited the Eastern Sector of UNIFIL's deployment in the general area of Ghajar where he received a briefing on the ground from UNIFIL officials.

Following his visit Mr. Mulet said: "As you know, this is not my first visit to UNIFIL. I have had high appreciation for the Mission and today this was confirmed yet again on the ground. I had the opportunity to see and be briefed on the strong cooperation UNIFIL has with the Lebanese Armed Forces and I was very impressed."