BEIRUT, Feb 12 (NNN-NNA) – Head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Stefano Del Col, yesterday called on Lebanon and Israel, to resume technical Blue Line talks, in order to reach agreements on a number of contentious areas along the Blue Line.
During this year’s first tripartite meeting with senior officers from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Israel Defence Forces (IDF), in Ras Al Naqoura, south of Lebanon, Del Col urged both sides to use the tripartite platform, to build on previous accomplishments and move towards a more stable environment.
Addressing both delegations, Del Col reflected on the challenges and opportunities he encountered, since taking charge of UNIFIL in Aug, 2018, and on the way forward.
“We must all play our part to move from the technical level towards the higher-level goal of a sustainable peace,” he said, adding, “this is my parting challenge to you all.”
The UNIFIL chief urged both parties to offer their usual support to his successor, Major General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz of Spain, who will assume his responsibilities by the end of this month.
Del Col stressed the importance of maintaining the same level of commitment, building on the progress made so far, and completing those outstanding points on which the parties have already agreed, in line with the Security Council’s expectations.
The Blue Line is a border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel, published by the United Nations in 2000.
UNIFIL was first established in 1978, to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. After the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, UNIFIL’s mandate was expanded to monitor the cessation of hostilities and to accompany the deployment of Lebanese armed forces throughout southern Lebanon, as Israel withdraws its troops.
