To welcome the president, at the UN base of At-Tiri, too Samir Moqbel, Lebanese Defense Minister.
After the surrender of the honors, in the course of a restricted conversation with the Irish president, General Portolano focused on the regional situation with particular reference to the nearby Syrian conflict whose direct and indirect repercussions strongly affect internal and security policy national of the country. In illustrating the complex operational framework that characterizes the UNIFIL intervention area, and the results achieved so far, the general also stressed the importance of contributing to the strengthening of the "Strategic Dialogue" - a mechanism aimed at developing the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces - as an important lever for achieving the purposes indicated in the mandate of resolution 1701.
Words of appreciation for the work done by the more than 10.000 peacekeepers were then expressed by the president who assured General Portolano full support for the mission until UN Security Council Resolution 1701 will be fully implemented.
At the end of the meeting, President Higgins laid a wreath at the Tibnin war memorial in memory of the Irish military 47 who lost their lives in fulfilling their duty in South Lebanon.
The commitment of Ireland in the Pese dei Cedri, in terms of personnel, amounts to 195 blue helmets deployed in the western sector of the Italian-led operation area. Overall, UNIFIL is made up of over 10.000 soldiers from 38 different nations and about 1.000 civilian employees.
Source: UNIFIL - PIO magg. Paolo Lafiosca
