U.N. Deputy Chief: Army, UNIFIL Cooperation Critical for Success of Resolution 1701
United Nations Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson visited the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon where he met with Force Commander Major General Paolo Serra and the Mission’s senior leadership, hailing the cooperation between the army and international force, announced UNIFIL in a statement on Monday.
Eliasson emphasized the need for continued coordinated operations with the Lebanese army saying: “Cooperation between the army and UNIFIL is critical for the successful implementation of U.N. Security Council resolution 1701.”
He added: “The continued support and assistance of the international community to the army is therefore vital.”
At the mission headquarters in southern Lebanon, Eliasson was briefed about UNIFIL’s operations in southern Lebanon and visited the Western Sector of UNIFIL’s deployment where he received a briefing from UNIFIL officials.
Lauding UNIFIL’s contribution to peace and security in the area, he said: “Southern Lebanon has witnessed a period of unprecedented calm thanks to the work of the mission, the strong liaison and coordination arrangements, the commitment of the parties as well as the excellent peacekeeping partnership between the LAF and UNIFIL. All these elements are critical to maintaining stability in the area at a time of heightened tensions in the region”.
Eliasson will meet with Lebanese officials in Beirut later in the week, and will also chair the 17th U.N. Regional Coordination Mechanism for the Arab States.
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