Miqati Meets Asarta: Govt. Determined to Aid UNIFIL, Army in Maintaining Peace in South

Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Tuesday the “constant” cooperation between the Lebanese army and United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, saying that the army should be properly supplied with necessary equipment to enable it to implement its duties, especially U.N. Security Council resolution 1701.

He said after holding talks with UNIFIL Commander Major General Alberto Asarta: “The Lebanese government is determined to take the necessary measures to allow the international force to perform its duties in aiding the army in maintaining the security in the South.”

He also condemned the various attacks against UNIFIL.

“These assaults not only target the international troops, but they also target the stability and security of all Lebanese, southerners in particular,” Miqati said.

“The government has asserted its complete commitment to resolution 1701 and it will continue on demanding the United Nations to put a stop to Israel’s constant violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty,” he added.

For his part, Asarta stated: “The U.N. Security Council’s unanimous decision to extend the mandate without any changes is a testament to the right course we are following in cooperation and coordination with the Lebanese army.”

UNIFIL is deployed at the request of the Lebanese government and it welcomes the continued support and appreciation it has received from the Lebanese, he said.

He stressed: “While significant progress has been achieved in the South, which is seeing the calmest period in decades, there still is a need to build on what was done so far.”

“By restoring and maintaining stability in southern Lebanon in cooperation with the Lebanese army, UNIFIL provides a window of opportunity for a permanent ceasefire and long-term solution to the conflict as envisioned in resolution 1701,” he added, recalling that the Security Council has once again urged all parties to make tangible progress towards this goal.

“Our ongoing strategic dialogue with the Lebanese army must be accelerated in order to realistically correlate our respective capacities and responsibilities on the ground,” Asarta said.

He expressed appreciation at the condemnation by the Lebanese leaders of the attacks against UNIFIL convoys in recent months and the measures taken to ensure security of UNIFIL peacekeepers, urging the Lebanese authorities to make every effort to bring the culprits to justice and prevent further attacks.

The Force Commander said UNIFIL will not be deterred by such acts of intimidation and UNIFIL is determined to continue implementing its mandate in accordance with resolution 1701, he said.

Asarta later held talks with Speaker Nabih Berri, briefing him on the extension of UNIFIL’s mandate for another year.