UNIFIL Faces Challenges ahead of Elections
UNIFIL commander General Claudio Graziano said Wednesday that the coming days will be challenging to the peacekeeping force, as Lebanon gears up for the June 7 legislative polls.
"UNIFIL is operating in a fragile region of the country. The upcoming elections will affect our operations," Graziano told a ceremony at the force”s base in the town of Tiri-Bint Jbeil.
"Regardless of the challenges that lie ahead of us, we are committed to follow-up to our mission," he promised.
"We are firmly convinced that permanent peace can be achieved in southern Lebanon," Graziano said. "Our role is to continue to provide support to the Lebanese state and the Lebanese armed forces in order to ensure security and stability in the region."
Graziano then awarded French officers and soldiers the Medal of Peace, on behalf of U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The event was attended by Lebanese army Colonel Marwan Halawi, senior military officers and UNIFIL commanders.