Lebanon's foreign minister Nassif Hitti visited the Naqoura headquarters of the Italian-led United Nations peacekeeping mission, its area of operations and the Blue Line frontline demarcation, UNIFIL said in a statement.
“Our focus is on maintaining calm and stability along the Blue Line in accordance with UNIFIL’s mandate and the parties’ obligations under resolution 1701, and all our efforts must be directed towards attaining this goal,” said Del Col, who welcomed Hitti to HQ.
“I ask for your continued support in this regard," Del Col went on, stressing the need to maintain the "sanctity" of the 120-kilometre Blue Line, according to the statement.
UNIFIL's 14-year presence along the Blue Line has been an essential element helping reduce potential friction, de-escalating tense situations that could have jeopardized the cessation of hostilities, Del Col said.
Major General Del Col also called for “sufficient prior notification" from both sides of any activity along the Blue Line and for full use to be made of UNIFIL’s liaison and coordination mechanism "to mitigate the scope for any apprehensions and misunderstandings.”
The COVID-19 crisis had not impacted UNIFIL’s activities, which continue at normal levels, he said.
During Hitti's visit, Del Col briefed him and a delegation of over 30 Lebanese diplomats on various aspects of the implementation on the UN Security Council resolution 1701. The resolution ended the 2006 Lebanon war between Israel and Shia militant group Hezbollah and forms the core of UNIFIL’s mandate.
Hitti's visit confirms Lebanon’s commitment to international legitimacy, represented by the UN and the role of UNIFIL in maintaining security and stability in southern Lebanon, the minister said.
“The Government has affirmed Lebanon's commitment to all provisions of UN Security Council resolution 1701 and to supporting the role of UNIFIL in the south,” Hitti stated.
Hitti later carried out an aerial tour of the Blue Line, while another part of the delegation visited a section of the Blue Line at a UNIFIL Ghanaian contingent base near the south-western Lebanese village of Ramyah, said the statement.
Hitti’s visit follows that of Prime Minister Hassan Diab to UNIFIL HQ in May during which Diab said continued coordination and close cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed forces (LAF) was essential to the success of the mission.
