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UNIFIL hails calm situation in south Lebanon

Xinhua, September 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Major-General Michael Beary praised the "calm situation that has been marked on the borders between Israel and Lebanon since a decade now."

Beary made the remarks at a ceremony held at the UNIFIL headquarters on the occasion of the International Day of Peace, stressing that their support help local people "not only survive but also lay the foundations of peace for the coming generations."

"I am glad to say that we are making progress," said Beary, who was at the ceremony by representatives of UNIFIL contingents from 40 countries, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), local government authorities and political, religious and civil leaders from across south Lebanon.

Following the 33-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in July 2006, the UNIFIL's mandate has changed to monitor the cessation of hostilities, support the Lebanese Armed Forces and extending help to ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.

While paying tribute to the 310 peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the cause of peace in Lebanon, he said "it is our responsibility to continue the struggle for peace in south Lebanon so that the sacrifice of the fallen will not be in vain."

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the UN General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and ceasefire. Endit