UNIFIL commander meets Lebanese summits

09/05/14

The UNIFIL commander, divisional general Paolo Serra, met the president of the Lebanese general, Michel Suleiman, the speaker of parliament mr. Nabih Berri and the head of the government mr. Tammam Salam.

During the meetings, aspects related to UNIFIL's mandate regarding the implementation of the UN Security Council's 1701 resolution were addressed, with particular regard to the cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).

General Serra expressed his deep appreciation for the constant support received from the main Lebanese institutional authorities in support of the delicate mission.

"In a complex regional context, stability in the south of Lebanon has been maintained thanks to the close collaboration with the LAF, consolidating the common commitment in respect of the United Nations 1701 Resolution".

At the end of the 2006 conflict, the UN Security Council, through 1701 resolution of 11 August 2006, strengthened the presence of the UNIFIL mission by assigning additional tasks to be implemented in close coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces.

UNIFIL, composed of approximately 12000 Peacekeepers from 37 Nations, has achieved a general respect for the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, the development of a dialogue between the parties through the tripartite meeting, the deployment of LAF in southern Lebanon and a progressive increase the capabilities of the same armed forces in the control action of the area south of the Litani river.

Source: UNIFIL MPIO - magg. Antonio Bernardo

(above Gen. Serra with the head of the government, on the right with the president)