United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
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Italian FM Meets Miqati, Suleiman, Voices Concern with Syrian Crisis Spill Over to Lebanon

Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi expressed Wednesday his “fear over the Syrian crisis and the possibility of the violence spilling over to the neighboring countries,” pointing out that his country is worried “not just regarding the violence in Syria but also the nature of the clashes.”

Terzi arrived in Beirut on Wednesday to address the situation in the region, expressing hope that Lebanon would remain stable amid the turmoil in the neighboring countries.

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U.N.: Lebanon Continues to Face Challenges over Syria Crisis

The U.N. assistant secretary-general for political affairs warned Tuesday that Lebanon continues to faces security challenges due to the upheaval in Syria.

“The country continues to face challenges to its security and stability, partly due to the crisis in Syria,” Oscar Fernandez-Taranco told a U.N. Security Council session.

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Miqati Heads to Rio for Sustainable Development Summit

Prime Minister Najib Miqati travelled to Brazil on Friday to take part in the U.N. conference on sustainable development that opens in Rio de Janeiro next week.

A statement released by his press office said Miqati will lead Lebanon’s delegation to the U.N. Rio+20 conference that is set to be held on June 20-22.

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Plumbly Hails All-Party Talks, Says Lebanon Should Halt Arms Smuggling to Syria

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly hailed on Wednesday the resumption of the national dialogue between Lebanese foes, warning of turning Lebanon into an arms smuggling hub to Syria.

“What matters now is the Lebanese people’s willingness to safeguard the country and not what the foreign powers want,” Plumbly told As Safir newspaper published on Wednesday.

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UNIFIL Commemorates International Day of U.N. Peacekeepers

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) held a ceremony on Tuesday to commemorate the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers that is observed every year on May 29, announced the force in a statement on Tuesday.

At UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura peacekeepers representing 39 different national contingents were joined by local authorities, officers of the Lebanese armed and security forces and diplomatic representatives

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Serra Describes Tripartite Meeting as 'Constructive,' Urges Parties to Maintain Calm

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Commander Maj.-Gen. Paolo Serra voiced his support to the wall that Israel is building along the Lebanese border.

“This project was designed to improve the security in the area and therefore, we cannot allow a de-conflicting project to become a source of conflict in one of the most sensitive areas,” Serra said on Wednesday after chairing a tripartite meeting with senior Lebanese and Israeli security officials at the U.N. headquarters at Ras al-Naqoura crossing.

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Lebanon Complains to UNIFIL over Israel’s Removal of Barbed Wire at Fatima Gate

The Lebanese army complained to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon on Wednesday over Israel’s removal of the barbed wire at the Fatima Gate in the South.

It issued a strong complaint to UNIFIL over the incident, which has left the border between Lebanon and Israel completely open and exposed to violations from either side, reported National News Agency.

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Spain Voices Commitment to Withdrawing All of its UNIFIL Troops in 2013

Spanish Defense Minister Pedro Morenes stressed on Tuesday his country’s commitment to reduce by 20 percent the number of Spanish troops in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, reported the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA.

He told Spanish state television that the rest of the Spanish troops will completely withdraw from the international force in 2013.

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UNIFIL Urges Israel to Stop Building Wall, Lebanese Officials Discuss Violations

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) demanded Israel to stop the building of a wall along the Lebanese-Israeli border after the Israelis removed the barbed wire without putting back any barriers, the National News Agency reported on Monday.

The UNIFIL informed the Israelis that the building of the wall can resume after restoring the barriers along the Fatima Gate in southern Lebanon.

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Army Files Complaint to UNIFIL against Officer who Reportedly Crossed to Israel

The Lebanese army filed a complaint with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) against a Spanish officer who crossed the barbed wire and met with Israeli troops.

According to the complaint, the army considered the incident a violation of Lebanese sovereignty.

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