Many topics were discussed during the meetings, an agenda dictated by the instability of the Middle Eastern region and, in particular, by the clashes that are seeing the LAF engaged around the city of Arsal, along the eastern Syrian border, where groups of Sunni rebels attributable essentially to the ISIS and Front to Nusra formations.
General Portolano praised the hard and crucial work carried out by the LAF in preserving territorial integrity and maintaining stability in the region and expressed the proximity of UNIFIL and its staff to the families of Lebanese soldiers who died in the fulfillment of their duty.
Particular attention was paid to the problem of Syrian refugees who, fleeing the war, continue to arrive in Lebanon.
To date, according to data provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Lebanon, more than one million Syrian refugees live on a population of just over 4 million.
In the area of UNIFIL operations, there are more than 54.000 that are added to the approximately half a million rooms that populate this area of Lebanon.
General Portolano said he was particularly attentive to this issue due to the negative impact it could have on the current stability of the area, both due to the social tensions that could arise and to the possible presence of infiltrated extremists from the Golan Heights.
In this context, the UNIFIL commander emphasized even more the importance of the strategic dialogue which represents a qualitative leap in the process of cooperation and interaction with the LAF, aimed at creating the adequate and necessary capacities within the LAF for a gradual and complete transfer of responsibility for the security and stability of the area of operation, from UNIFIL to the Lebanese armed forces, both on land and at sea.
In this regard, General Portolano expressed the hope that the recent promises of aid that Lebanon has received from various countries, including 3 million dollars from Saudi Arabia, will materialize because this would guarantee an implementation of the capabilities of the brigades that cooperate with UNIFIL for compliance with the mandate contained in the 1701 resolution of the UN Security Council.
Finally, in thanking the Lebanese colleagues for the support received from UNIFIL, the general confirmed that the 17 September will preside over the tripartite meeting: on the agenda the recent rocket launch from Lebanon, the Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace and unresolved questions regarding some critical areas along the Blue Line.
Source: Italian contingent in Lebanon
