UNIFIL Celebrates U.N. Day, Honors Long-serving Lebanese Staff Members
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon honored on Friday its long-serving staff members on the occasion of the 64th United Nations Day.
UNIFIL Commander Maj.-Gen. Claudio Graziano presented certificates to 13 Lebanese staff members who have completed 25 or 30 years of service with UNIFIL during a ceremony held at the peacekeepers” headquarters in Naqoura.
Graziano congratulated all the military and civilian personnel who have served in UNIFIL since the establishment of the mission in 1978. "Their professionalism and unwavering dedication to service has been vital for implementation of UNIFIL”s mandate," he said.
Representatives of the Lebanese army and officials, NGOs, U.N. agencies and the international community attended the ceremony to celebrate the U.N. Day.
The day marks the founding of the United Nations with the entry into force of the U.N. Charter on October 24, 1945.
"All our activities in the service of peace and security in southern Lebanon could not be implemented without the cooperation of the Lebanese Armed Forces," Graziano said during the ceremony.
"I therefore wish to particularly thank the Lebanese Armed Forces in recognition of their role as a key partner in the performance of our duties," he added.