The division general Stefano Del Col, Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNIFIL, presided over the last few days the regular meeting between the high representatives of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israeli Armed Forces at the UN station of Ras Al Naqoura, manned from the Italian blue helmets of the 7 ° alpine regiment.
"The situation in the UNIFIL operating area, despite regional disturbances, is currently stable", said General Del Col during the meeting."I am satisfied that communications and coordination measures are used effectively through our channels "and again" UNIFIL is always available to provide the necessary structures to help maintain control of the situation and minimize tensions".
General Del Col opened the meeting by praising the work done by both sides, through the coordination and liaison tools of UNIFIL and the meetings of the tripartite forum, to reduce situations of friction; it also renewed its call to preserve stability in the area of operations south of the Litani River in order to achieve the goal of a 'permanent ceasefire'.
During the meeting the topics of discussion were the general situation of the UNIFIL operation area and that of the Blue Line; there was also talk of the cooperation between the two parties (Lebanon and Israel) with the UNIFIL mission for the implementation of the UN mandate, how to optimize the Liaison mechanisms and coordination of UNIFIL to ensure the stability of the Blue Line, of air and ground violations, including the withdrawal of IDF from the north of the town of Ghajar.
Tripartite meetings were held regularly under the auspices of UNIFIL and with the mediation of the head of the mission and force commander since the end of the 2006 war in southern Lebanon; these periodic meetings are an essential tool for both conflict management and building trust between the parties.
Currently in the Mission are employed around 10.500 peacekeepers (including 1.100 Italian Blue Helmets) that seamlessly perform '14.000 monthly operational activities in the area of operation. A marine task force of six vessels, 8 helicopters and 800 civilian employees is also serving UNIFIL.
