Situation in South “under control,” says Graziano
The situation in the South is "under control," the commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said after a holding talks with Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday. Major General Claudio Graziano also reiterated that the peacekeeping force was committed to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brought a cessation of hostilities in the summer 2006 war with Israel.
"I have informed the Parliament speaker that the situation in South Lebanon is good and under control," Graziano said. "We are working hand in hand with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to maintain the cease-fire and implement Resolution 1701."
In addition to ending the war, 1701 also called for the disarmament of all non-state groups in Lebanon and the setting up of an arms-free buffer zone south of the Litani River.
Graziano said his visit was aimed at expressing gratitude for Berri”s support for UNIFIL.
"I thank Berri for his strong support for our international forces," he said.
Regarding the Shebaa Farms, still occupied by Israel despite its pullout from most of the South in 2000, Graziano said: "We have not discussed the issue as we are not charged with dealing with it. This question is being discussed at the UN and is not yet under UNIFIL”s mandate."
Meanwhile, UNIFIL”s French contingent held a ceremony at its headquarters in the Bint Jbeil region of Tayri to mark the end of the mandate of its Fifth Mission Battalion and to receive the Sixth Mission Battalion.
Outgoing French commander Carno said he would never forget the experience he had in South Lebanon.
"The past four months will be engraved in our memory forever as we have lived together with our LAF friends and the local population," he said.
Also on Wednesday, and as part of the Belgian-Luxembourgian contingent”s (BELUBATT) hand-over program, a UNIFIL delegation visited the Tibnin Orphanage to present BELUBATT”s new commander and senior medical officer.
The delegation was welcomed by the orphanage”s director, Mohammad Fawaz and another official, Ali Saad.
Saad gave a brief overview of the orphanage”s history and voiced hope that the good relations that had been established with the previous BELUBATT contingent would continue.
He praised BELUBATT for the way the battalion maintains good relationships with the local community and highlighted its good reputation, "thanks to numerous humanitarian activities like medical care and demining."
BELUBATT”s new commander and senior medical officer both assured Saad and Fawaz that it was their intention to maintain the current level of cooperation.
Regarding the possible departure of BELUBATT, both officers stressed that a political decision had been taken to keep the battalion operating in Tibnin at least until the end of 2008, adding that despite a possible reduction in numeric strength, the battalion”s mission would remain the same.
The visit was concluded with the presentation of a farewell gift by the current commander.
On Tuesday UNIFIL”s Indonesian contingent organized a fun and sports day at its headquarters in Adshit al-Kassir for LAF troops as well as those of the international force operating in the South”s western and eastern sectors.
Headed by General Juan Batista Garcia Sanchez, the commander of the force in the eastern sector of UNIFIL”s area of operations, the ceremony was attended by Indonesian Ambassador Bagas Hapsoro in addition to several LAF officers, UNIFIL commanders and some 400 UNIFIL soldiers.
Activities included basketball, volleyball and handball games in addition to some traditional Indonesian sports. Magic and dancing shows were also included in the ceremony.
International and local troops also organized a bazaar where they displayed some of their countries” products and launched a reforestation campaign, where a tree was planted in the name of every participating LAF and UNIFIL troop.
Sanchez said the event constituted a show of friendship between international soldiers and local residents.