U.N. Chief Pledges Continued Support for Lebanese Army
U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon stressed on his first day of an official visit to Lebanon on Thursday that the world body will continue to support the Lebanese army.
“I assured the Minister and the Lebanese Armed Forces Commander that the U.N. and our partners in the international community will continue to give them our strong support. The Security Council emphasized this once again in its statement last week,” Ban said following talks with Defense Minister Samir Moqbel and Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji.
The talks at the defense ministry in Yarze were attended by UNIFIL Commander Maj. Gen. Luciano Portolano and the representatives of the International Support Group for Lebanon.
Ban vowed to “continue to advocate for greater support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, which we consider a truly national institution.”
“It is essential that the Lebanese Armed Forces get the technical and material resources they need to fulfill their vital responsibilities throughout the country,” he said.
The U.N. chief also expressed his “deep admiration for the successful efforts” by the Lebanese Army and security agencies “to safeguard the country’s security and stability, particularly in keeping Lebanon’s borders safe and protecting the country from the threat of terrorism.”
On his first day of the official visit, Ban also met with Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Tammam Salam.
The discussions mainly focused on the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon and the refugee burden.
He also visited the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura where he inspected troops.
G.K.
D.A.
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