NAQOURA, AUGUST 16 – While in New York the Security Council prepares its discussion on the renewal of UNIFIL, the Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Aroldo Lázaro, chaired a Tripartite meeting with senior officers of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) at a UN position in Ras al-Naqoura today.
Discussions focused on the situation along the Blue Line, air and ground violations, and other issues within the scope of UNIFIL’s mandate under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) and subsequent resolutions.
Major General Lázaro expressed his concern over a series of incidents along the Blue Line in recent months which have increased tension. UNIFIL chief urged the parties to continue to avail of UNIFIL’s liaison and coordination mechanisms while avoiding unilateral actions. He also appealed for engagement in Blue Line talks to address outstanding issues highlighting the importance of positive signals by both parties ahead of the Security Council consideration of UNIFIL’s mandate renewal.
Since the end of the 2006 war in south Lebanon, regular Tripartite meetings have been held under UNIFIL’s auspices as an essential conflict-management and confidence-building mechanism. Today was the 162nd such meeting. Through its liaison and coordination mechanisms, UNIFIL remains the only forum through which the Lebanese and Israeli armies officially meet. (@OnuItalia)
