UN peacekeeping chief meets Lebanese leaders, urges effort to keep UNIFIL
Under-Secretary-General for U.N. Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix met Wednesday in Lebanon with President Joseph Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri.
Aoun told the visiting U.N. official that Lebanon is keen on the presence of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force in south Lebanon to “implement Resolution 1701 in cooperation with the Lebanese Army,” stressing that “maintaining stability in the South is a vital matter, not only to Lebanon but also to all countries in the region.”
The president also hoped “the countries financing international peacekeeping missions will be able to secure the necessary funding to maintain UNIFIL’s work,” emphasizing that “Lebanon will carry out contacts with the brotherly and friendly countries in this regard.”
Al-Jadeed television meanwhile reported that Lacroix focused in his talks with Lebanese leaders on the need to secure the extension of UNIFIL’s term for another year, noting that the matter faces difficulties amid the explosive regional situations.
He also called on the Lebanese state to submit to the U.N. what supports the extension request, al-Jadeed added.
Source: Naharnet
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