UNIFIL hails calm borders between Lebanon and Israel

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Tuesday hailed the general calm preserved along the Blue Line amidst challenging circumstances and commended the parties for their continued engagement with UNIFIL towards this end.

The Blue line is the virtual line that UNIFIL has drawn to demarcate the borders between Lebanon and Israel following the 33-day war in July 2006 between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah militant party.

According to a statement by the UNIFIL, Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major-General Luciano Portolano, chaired a regular tripartite meeting with senior officers from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) at the UN Position at the Ras Al Naqoura crossing.

It added that "participants discussed issues relevant to the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701, including the situation along the Line of Withdrawal (Blue Line), air and ground violations, ongoing visible marking of the Blue Line and the withdrawal issue of Israeli forces from northern Ghajar."

The Security Council issued resolution 1701 to end all "military activities" between the two parties and enhance the the UNIFIL mandate present in Lebanon since 1978.

Portolano said "Aside from the public rhetoric and the speculation going around, I find both parties quite focused on genuine issues on the ground, issues that further strengthen the security infrastructure we have established together along the Blue Line.

Where there are gaps, they work with UNIFIL to fill them. Where there are local problems, they actively seek practical solutions."

He added "A lot is happening regionally to currently distract us, but there is also a lot at stake along the Blue Line which demands our undivided attention. To secure our focus requires rare resolve from all sides, and today's constructive meeting was yet another testament to the commitment from the parties in working with UNIFIL to minimize the scope of incidents and contain any if they occur."

He concluded "This positive engagement from the parties with UNIFIL is quite encouraging, along with their demonstrated intent to make optimum use of our liaison and coordination to ensure cessation of hostilities along the Blue Line is upheld."