Our Ties with the People of the South “Were and Will Remain Excellent”
Italian Ambassador to Lebanon Gabriele Checchia said Monday UNIFIL will always enjoy "excellent" ties with Lebanese in the south and underlined the strong relations between Lebanon and Italy.
He was speaking at a ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ITALAIR”s operations as part of UNIFIL, in the presence of UNIFIL commander Major-General Claudio Graziano and representatives of the Lebanese army and local authorities.
Checchia voiced hope that the international peacekeeping force "will be able to contribute to the strengthening of security and stability in the area in cooperation and coordination with the Lebanese army and local residents."
Stressing on UNIFIL”s "good relations" with the southerners, he said: "I am not only sure but also completely convinced that ties between UNIFIL and the area”s residents were and will remain excellent."
Cecchia”s statement comes against the backdrop of a series of events that created tensions between UNIFIL and Lebanese in the south. On July 18, 14 peacekeepers were injured in the town of Khirbet Selm when protesters tried to stop an investigation into an arms cache that exploded the week before.
The Italian ambassador also reaffirmed the "excellent" bilateral ties between Lebanon and Italy.
He said Italy”s participation in UNIFIL dates back 30 years, during which several Italian peacekeepers lost their lives "for the sake of peace, security and stability.
For his part, Graziano said: "In performing our mission, we are extremely determined not only because of our commitment to the fundamental principles of international peace and security enshrined in the U.N. Charter, but also because of the support we receive from the local population of southern Lebanon, who know that we are here for the sole purpose of ensuring security and stability."