NAQOURA, Lebanon: The head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Maj. Gen. Luciano Portolano said Thursday that the peacekeeping force in south Lebanon was cooperating with the Lebanese Army more closely than ever before.
“The LAF and UNIFIL are working more closely than ever, through coordination of daily operations on the ground and through continued progress in the strategic dialogue mechanism,” he said. “I consider this collaboration [to be] the keystone of the success of the implementation of Resolution 1701.”
Portolano spoke at a ceremony commemorating the 37th anniversary of the peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon, at the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura.
Peacekeepers representing each of the mission’s 38 national contingents were present at the ceremony, along with representatives of the Army, local officials, U.N. members and other security figures.
“UNIFIL is committed to supporting the generous people of south Lebanon in many ways, through projects that benefit communities [across] our whole area of operations,” Portolano added.
“Today, UNIFIL does not just work for the people of the south, but with [them].”
The commander promised to continue to reach out to local authorities, religious leaders, and communities in the region. He also highlighted the role that UNIFIL continued to play defusing violence and preventing its escalation, and helping all parties maintain calm and stability along the Blue Line.
Accompanied by Brig. Gen. Francois Chahine, who was representing Army commander Jean Kahwagi, Portolano laid a wreath at the UNIFIL cenotaph to honor the 308 peacekeepers that have lost their lives in the line of service.
UNIFIL was established in 1978 in accordance with Security Council resolutions 425 and 426 issued in light of Israel’s invasion of south Lebanon.
Following Israel’s 2006 war against Lebanon, Security Council Resolution 1701 was passed to boost the U.N. force so it could monitor Israel’s withdrawal and provide support to the Lebanese Army.
In addition to establishing the cessation of hostilities which concluded the summer war, U.N. Resolution 1701 called for establishing an arms-free buffer zone south of the Litani River where only peacekeepers and legitimate Lebanese security forces were allowed to carry weapons.
“I cannot conclude today’s ceremony without recognizing the great work carried out by the LAF and Lebanese security organizations, [which], in spite of their engagement throughout the country, continue to be a reliable and strategic partner,” Portolano said in his speech.
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