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UNIFIL chief hails cooperation with Lebanese army

Xinhua, January 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

Joint efforts between Lebanon and a UN mission in the country have helped defuse tensions and ensure stability in border areas with Israel, a UN official said on Tuesday.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Commander Maj. General Luciano Portolano made the remarks in an interview with the National News Agency (NNA).

"Regional developments undoubtedly remind us of the challenges that UNIFIL and the LAF (the country's armed forces) are constantly facing to ensure stability in UNIFIL's area of operations," he said.

He also said that "our focus is on ensuring that there are no incidents along the Blue Line that could lead to any escalation of the situation."

"Given the regional situation, the recent events understandably raised the level of tension and concern among the local populations. Our combined efforts with the LAF are geared towards defusing tension ensuring that the situation in our area of operations remains stable and under control," he added.

Israeli forces launched an air attack last week against a group of Hezbollah militants on a field observation mission in the Syrian Golan Heights which caused the death of a number of the party's leaders along with a highly ranked Iranian officer.

So far, Israel has yet to issue any official acknowledgement related to the airstrikes.

Portolano stressed that "the many facets of our operations, our patrols on the ground have been intensified in close coordination with LAF and with particular focus on the Blue Line. At the same time, we have more aerial patrols along the Blue Line as well as a maritime presence where we operate in close support of the Lebanese navy."

He said that it was not just the number but also the nature of UNIFIL patrols that have been enhanced.

"We now conduct more foot patrols that allow peacekeepers to have closer contacts with the local population. These interactive patrols help us in being more present among the communities and better understand their concerns. This builds on the strong relationship we share with the people of south," he said.

The UNIFIL chief said also said they are in constant touch with the parties and have kept an open liaison channel to ensure effective flow of information through UNIFIL and to avoid any misunderstandings among the parties.

"This has proved vital in preventing tension and incidents, and an essential mechanism to de-conflict the situation at critical moments," he said.

"Both parties continue to firmly express their commitment to resolution 1701 and to maintain the cessation of hostilities," he added.

The UN Security Council resolution 1701 was issued in 2006. It ended a 33-day devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah. Endit