BEIRUT: UNIFIL Force commander Maj.-Gen. Luciano Portolano Wednesday expressed his deepest appreciation for the continued commitment that the parties on the two sides of the Lebanese-Israeli border have demonstrated in maintaining the cessation of hostilities.
Portolano chaired a regular tripartite meeting with senior officers from the Lebanese and Israeli armies at the UN Position at Ras al-Naqoura crossing.
The participants discussed issues relevant to the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701, including the situation along the border Blue Line, the ongoing visible marking of the Blue Line, violations and incidents as well as the issue of withdrawal of Israeli forces from northern Ghajar.
This was the first tripartite meeting chaired by Portolano, who took over UNIFIL’s command on 24 July 2014.
”The tripartite forum remains and indispensable instrument to address issues of vital importance to maintaining the cessation of hostilities, and find agreed solutions with the parties on contentious issues along the Blue Line,” he said. “In the current tense regional context, this mechanism has continued to deliver, and has proved effective in containing incidents or violations and de-conflicting the situation at critical moments.”
Portolano said he was very pleased with the constructive discussions and the parties’ commitment to preserve stability along the Blue Line.
He emphasized that the situation in UNIFIL’s area of operations is generally calm.
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