Division General Luciano Portolano, head of mission and force commander of the United Nations mission in Lebanon, began today in Beirut meetings for farewell greetings with the highest Lebanese institutional figures, including the speaker of the Lebanese parliament mr. Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Tammam Salam.
During the morning, General Portolano also met with the commander of the Lebanese armed forces, General Jean Kahwaji, the Chief of Staff, Divisional General Salman and Chief of Military Brigade General Camille Daher.
The head of the United Nations mission expressed satisfaction and gratitude, for the feeling of great closeness and respect for the authorities and the Lebanese people, felt in the two years of mandate: "The Lebanese people welcomed me, from the first day, as one of them. Thank you for the support, esteem and appreciation you have always shown for the work of UNIFIL peacekeepers ”.
During the meetings, General Portolano also wanted to highlight and recall once again the extraordinary coordination, cooperation, and capacity for intervention, achieved with the Lebanese armed forces and with the entire security apparatus in full compliance with Council resolution 1701 of United Nations Security.
"The firm and resolute support that the Lebanese authorities and the security forces have always guaranteed, have allowed the UNIFIL mission to find, in all circumstances, effective solutions to dissolve tensions in the area of operations in southern Lebanon, while preserving stability and ensuring one of the longest periods of calm in this area. "
Division General Luciano Portolano will leave the UNIFIL mission guide for two years in July.