BEIRUT, May 20 (NNN-NNA) – The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), yesterday called on Lebanon and Israel, to use the tripartite meetings, to find win-win solutions to the contentious issues along their border.
A tripartite meeting was held yesterday in Ras Al Naqoura, Lebanon, which was attended by the UNIFIL, as well as, senior military officers from Lebanon and Israel.
Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, the UNIFIL head, said, “The tripartite meeting is underscored by the UN Security Council as a vital tool to defuse tensions and avoid miscalculations.”
Saenz said, his goal was to “reach constructive outcomes” through the tripartite structure and the UNIFIL’s other liaison and coordination mechanisms.
He also called on the parties to move on marking points along the Blue Line, as previously agreed upon.
The tripartite mechanism was established immediately, following the 2006 war, to coordinate the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, and the handover of control through the UNIFIL to the Lebanese armed forces. It has evolved into a forum to help the two militaries reach pragmatic agreements on contentious issues, and build trust and confidence.
