Major General Stefano Del Col, Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNIFIL, received the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Lebanese Parliament in recent days at the Mission Command, chaired by the President (Member of Parliament) Yassine Jaber.
The members of the Commission visited UNIFIL's area of operation for the first time and had the opportunity to personally see the important and delicate work carried out by the United Nations Blue Helmets.
General Del Col expressed his gratitude to the delegation for Lebanon's continued support in carrying out the UN mandate. It also provided the update on the Mission, on the various operational and training activities that the UN peacekeepers carry out in the area of operation. Particular attention was paid to cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces and to the work carried out by the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force in close coordination with the LAF Navy.
All operations are carried out in full compliance with Resolution 1701 and associated with the United Nations Security Council. Resolution 2433 of last August 30 extends UNIFIL's mandate for a further year and in the same the Security Council also urged Lebanon to deploy an offshore patrol vessel within its territorial waters.
The general also underlined the stability of the situation of the last 12 years which has positively stimulated economic activities in southern Lebanon. Finally, he concluded by noting the importance of strengthening the LAF and further extending the authority of the Lebanese state in the area.
Member of Parliament Jaber commented that the visit confirms our appreciation and support for UNIFIL's role in southern Lebanon. The existing cooperation between the Lebanese army and the Blue Helmets has led to 12 years of stability, peace, security and prosperity, he has declared. We hope this collaboration will continue and confirm our commitment to the UN Security Council's 1701 resolution and to support UNIFIL's work.
Deputies Yassine Jaber, Ibrahim Azar, George Okais, Ali Bazzi, Kassem Hachem, Hagop Bakradonian and Fouad Makhzoumi, concluded the meeting by visiting the Blue Line area (the dividing line between Lebanon and Israel) where they received a briefing in which was illustrated how peacekeepers daily and seamlessly contribute to maintaining peace and guaranteeing stability in southern Lebanon in full cooperation with the LAF.
Italy is present in Lebanon with about 1.100 men and women of the UNIFIL Mission in compliance with resolution 1701, issued following the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the consequent deployment of the United Nations interposition force. The tasks of the blue helmets include the monitoring and control of the cessation of hostilities, the support to the Lebanese Armed Forces in the control activities in the South of the country, as well as assistance to the local population through Civil and Military Cooperation projects.
The commitment of the Italian military in the Land of the Cedars has deep roots: Italy has participated in the UNIFIL mission since 1979 and has constantly rearticulated its presence in compliance with subsequent United Nations resolutions.
