Unifil, racing at the Beirut Marathon

11/11/14

As usual, UNIFIL took part in the marathon to seal the strong bond that links the peacekeepers to this land, not only south of the Litani river.

At the head of the over 200 participants of UNIFIL, between blue helmets and civilian personnel, the division general Luciano Portolano, Head of Mission and Force Commander of the mission, which held particularly at this event to express closeness to the Country's Institutions and its forces armies harshly committed to preserving territorial integrity and stability in the hot parts of Lebanon, on the outskirts of Tripoli and along the border with Syria, near Arsal. The participation of UNIFIL was much appreciated by the Lebanese government authorities present on the spot. During the talks they had with General Portolano they reaffirmed the government's commitment to achieve full implementation of the 1701 Resolution and, once again, expressed their appreciation for the work of the blue helmets in the south of the country. The presence of the UNIFIL commander was a reason to remember, especially in this historical moment, the presence of a peace force composed of 38 Countries, which since 2006 is guaranteeing, in close collaboration with the Lebanese armed forces, a period of calm and stability in southern Lebanon as never seen for over thirty years. "We are here at the invitation of the Lebanese people and we work for them" said General Portolano who added: "receiving affection and esteem from the many people we met is a source of pride for the awareness of the excellent work UNIFIL is doing, in support government and armed forces for the maintenance of stability in southern Lebanon ". Important representation of Italian blue helmets used in the western sector of the UNIFIL responsibility area placed under the command of Brigadier General Stefano Del Col, who, despite the many operational commitments, participated numerous in the "Beirut Marathon".

Source: Unifil