Murr, Qahwaji Visit UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura
Defense Minister Elias Murr, and Lebanese Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, on Tuesday visited the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) located in Naqoura, south Lebanon.
UNIFIL Commander Maj. Gen. Claudio Graziano welcomed Minister Murr to UNIFIL and expressed appreciation for his initiative to visit the Mission.
"I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you my sincere thanks for both your and the Government of Lebanon”s continued cooperation and support in southern Lebanon. Much that has been achieved in the region to date is testament to the excellent relations and cooperation that exist between the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL," Graziano said.
Graziano briefed Murr on the work of peacekeepers and stressed the importance of the ongoing coordinated operations between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army. The two discussed the scope for taking forward that collaboration.
In his address, Murr said: "We renew today the commitment of the Lebanese government to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 in all its articles and we renew the support of the Lebanese government for UNIFIL Forces that are present in south Lebanon. Today, we reaffirm the cooperation between the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL."
Murr also stressed the army”s commitment for "continuous coordination with UNIFIL."
Earlier, on arrival, Minister Murr inspected a Guard of Honor presented by UNIFIL troops and laid a wreath at the cenotaph in memory of the fallen peacekeepers.