Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri has confirmed his country’s support to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and its full commitment to Security Council Resolution 1701.
During a meeting with the new UNIFIL Commander, Major General Stefano Del Col, at the Center House on Wednesday, Hariri lauded the peacekeepers' role in maintaining security and stability in southern Lebanon, stressing that the country's "interest and territorial integrity require full cooperation between the Lebanese authorities and UNIFIL."
"Lebanon looks forward to the extension of the UNIFIL mandate," said Hariri. He also "underlined the importance of the solidarity of the international community on this issue, the continued support of UNIFIL and securing the necessary environment to enable it to carry out its work to the fullest."
As the Security Council is set to consider next week the extension of the mission's mandate, good relations with UNIFIL fall "in the interest of Lebanon and stability in the south," the PM-designate told Del Col.
He also lauded ongoing coordination between the Lebanese army and UNIFIL in implementing Resolution 1701.
After the meeting, Del Col said: “It is my first day as Head of Mission and Force Commander."
"I assured Prime Minister Hariri that we will follow the 1701 UNSCR and other resolutions about UNIFIL," he said.
"UNIFIL has guaranteed the peace process and peace over the past twelve years and the situation on the ground in south Lebanon. This is my third term here in Lebanon. I arrived the first time in 2008, the second one in 2014 and now in 2018."
"I really came to follow UNSCR 1701 and the goal is to reach a permanent cease fire,” Del Col added.
