We had the pleasure of asking some questions to General Luciano Portolano, commander of the UNIFIL mission who told us about the activity in Lebanon based on UN resolution 1701.
General, she is the third Italian commander in command of the UNIFIL mission. Is this a reason for pride because they have chosen another Italian?
This is an extraordinary event, testimony to the recognition, at an international level, of our professionalism and the seriousness of our intentions characterized by transparent, impartial and full adherence to the UN mandate and in particular to the 425 resolution establishing UNIFIL and the 1701 which enhances it. . It is a historical result, the result of the work of Italian troops, of the capacity of our cultural heritage, of respecting different cultures and traditions, of knowing how to put ourselves in the shoes of others, to understand their way of thinking and acting accordingly in respect of assigned mandate. This characteristic is of fundamental importance especially in a Mission where the commander of UNIFIL, as head of mission and force commander, carries out the delicate and fundamental action of diplomatic mediation between the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the Israeli Defense Forces ( ISD), aimed at guaranteeing respect for the cessation of hostilities and bringing the parties back to dialogue whenever a crisis occurs.
Can you explain better how the "Tripartite" works?
The "tripartite" meeting is the only discussion forum between these two countries. At monthly intervals, I convene delegates of the parties that meet in our presence in the Ras Naqoura area, a kind of no man's land, inside a room on the border, where some issues are discussed which, to date , have not yet found a solution. It is a vital and highly valued instrument through which the two countries, which have no diplomatic relationship, are directly confronted by the mediation of the Commander of the Mission. This form of "confidence building" between the parties exists from 2006. The first meeting took place immediately after the cessation of hostilities and so far we have achieved extremely positive results. In this regard, it is important to note how both parties (Lebanon and Israel) during the "tripartite" meetings have always demonstrated the utmost commitment to continue to abide by cessation of hostilities in adherence to the contents of the UN Security Council's Resolution 1701 .
In your head of mission's diplomatic experience, do you believe that the tripartite dialogue between Lebanon and Israel needs to accelerate, with regard to the Blue Pillars issue and the laying of the buoys at sea?
The status of the visualization process on the ground of the Blue Line, through the agreed positioning of the "Blue Barrels" pillars, and the laying of the buoys at sea are some of the main topics that are dealt with in the "tripartite" meeting. The work tied to the demarcation of the Blue Line continues and is an important element of "confidence building". As far as the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel is concerned, it has never been established and UNIFIL has no responsibility to trace it. The line of buoys, unilaterally positioned by Israel in the 2000 (after the withdrawal of the IDF from Lebanon), is in fact recognized neither by Lebanon nor by the United Nations. In fact, UNIFIL does not have the task of monitoring the buoy line within its mandate. This problem was also addressed during the "tripartite" meetings, but only to prevent or minimize the risks related to possible accidents that could damage the security of the area.
From the absence of dialogue to the tripartite table. What is missing because the mission becomes more political than military? What are, in your opinion, the fixed points, indispensable, because the Lebanon starts again and approaches stability?
The mission at the moment is properly configured based on the current situation of our operation area and the political and military priorities set by our mandate. Lebanon is experiencing an intricate period of time and, at the same time, the developments in the Syria war have a profound impact on the country's life; to ensure territorial integrity and internal security, the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces are facing very demanding challenges that involve sacrifices, including in terms of human lives. Social tensions are further exacerbated by political instability due to the lack of agreement between the various parties about the President to be elected, key figure in balancing powers in a political system based on Confessionalism; just think that this presidential vacuum is prolonged by the May of May of 2014. Nonetheless, the situation in our area of responsibility remains stable thanks to the joint effort exercised daily by the Lebanese Armed Forces alongside UNIFIL peackepeers in monitoring and monitoring the territory (along the Blue Line), Lebanese airspace and territorial waters by the Maritime Task Force. As far as our mandate is concerned, it is important that Lebanese Armed Forces' capabilities be "increased" not only as a prerequisite for the full control of our Lebanese operation area and territorial waters, but also as a key element in the future to move the country to a ceasefire. In this regard, it was very important to create the "Strategic Dialogue" between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces as a mechanism aimed at the Lebanese Unity Leading Capacity Development in terms of personnel, armaments and means needed to fully implement the 1701 resolution.
How are the relations between the population and the UNIFIL military operating in the two sectors?
As I recently said during my meetings with leading Lebanese politicians, Prime Minister Tammam Salam, President of Parliament Nabih Berri, Chief of the Lebanese General Armed Forces Kahwagi and with leaders of local and religious communities, the population of our area of operation is one of the priorities of my mandate: the generous reception given to UNIFIL personnel is decisive for the success of the mission. UNIFIL reserves great importance for relations with the local population that is constantly informed about the activities carried out by the blue helmets that operate in full respect of the local culture, in order to avoid interference in the daily life of local communities. Although UNIFIL, by its nature, is not a humanitarian mission, military and civilian personnel is involved in the development of many civil-military cooperation projects through the realization of Quick Impact Project (QIP), short and medium term projects addressed to the most needy sections of the population, such as the supply of goods and services of first necessity (drinking water, electricity, health care, etc.) and infrastructures (roads, medical-hospital facilities, equipment for public administration offices, etc.) . This activity of constant connection with the local communities allows to increase the consensus towards UNIFIL and this, of course, can only favor the success of the mission. It must be remembered that the presence of UNIFIL generates an important economic inducement that, together with the economic impact of the aforementioned QIP, has determined a recovery of the area's economy over the years. It goes without saying that the improvement of economic conditions creates a safer environment, less social tensions and allows UNIFIL to work effectively in collaboration and support of the LAF for full compliance with the 1701 Resolution.
With respect to the latest international events that are affecting the Middle East, ISIS in particular, may or may not change the UNIFIL mission?
The Mission is renewed from year to year, at the request of the parties, with objectives and instruments whose validity and effectiveness is assessed on the basis of the results achieved and the evolution of the geopolitical situation of the Region, the level and type of threat. ISIS poses a global threat, so that even southern Lebanon can not escape this danger. Precisely for this reason, although the situation is currently stable, in order to effectively cope with any criticism, we have increased the control activities of the territory and waters in front of Lebanon. All these activities are obviously carried out in close coordination and in support of the Lebanese Armed Forces which, together with the Government, are the first responsible for the security and stability of this area.
Do you think UNIFIL's good practices could be applied to other missions to which the UN could be called (Libya)?
When talking about UNIFIL you have in mind a winning model that has produced a period of calm and stability that the south of Lebanon has not known for over 30 years and which they are enjoying both sides. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to compare different realities from every point of view: from political to historical one, from international relations to the different geostrategic context in which the two countries are located that looks at very different conflict situations that do not allow the ' adoption or application of the same "operating algorithm".
Salvatore Pappalardo
