Serra to Berri: UNIFIL Remains Focused on its Mandate

UNIFIL Commander Maj. Gen. Paolo Serra reassured Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday that the peacekeeping mission's mandate has not changed, a UNIFIL statement said.

“Berri has always been highly appreciative of our mission and his support and encouragement defines the essence of the strong relationship UNIFIL peacekeepers share with the people of south Lebanon,” said Serra following talks with Berri.

“This is also the spirit that characterizes our partnership with the Lebanese Armed Forces over the last seven years,” he said.

The UNIFIL chief stressed he assured Berri that the mission “remains resolved to stand by the people of south Lebanon in these challenging times just as UNIFIL has done through the years and decades before.”

The force commander also emphasized that UNIFIL remains focused on its mandated tasks under U.N. Security Council resolution 1701.

The statement said that Serra briefed Berri on the situation in UNIFIL’s area of operations south of the Litani river and discussed with him issues related to the implementation of its mandate.