New UNIFIL Chief Meets Salam and Qahwaji, Hails 'Sincere Support'
Maj. Gen. Michael Beary, the newly-appointed head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) held separate talks Friday in Beirut with Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, the U.N. force said.
The meetings discussed “the security and political situation in the country, the implementation of UNIFIL's mandate under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 as well as the situation in UNIFIL’s Area of Operations in South Lebanon with particular focus on cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army.”
Following the meetings, Beary said: “I thanked the leaders for their relentless and sincere support for the work we are doing on the ground in close coordination with the LAF (Lebanese Armed Forces) and for their commitment to UNSC resolution 1701; I highly appreciate their continuous efforts in helping preserving stability in the country during this very sensitive time that the region is facing.”
“This being our first meeting after I assumed Command of UNIFIL, I assured the Prime Minister and LAF Commander of my intent to ensure continuity in UNIFIL’s operations. We must continue to build on our strategic partnership with the LAF, enhancing its capacity through the Strategic Dialogue and assist the Government of Lebanon in strengthening state authority in the south,” he added.
Beary also stressed during the talks on “the importance of the Mission’s relations with the population.”
“I assured the leaders that our peacekeepers, military and civilian, will continue working with full respect for the religious beliefs, traditions and cultural sensitivities of the host population. We attach great importance to our relationship with the people of the south; a special bond that goes back in time, this symbiotic co-existence is key to the success of the Mission,” he said.
Beary also met separately with the Lebanese Government Coordinator to UNIFIL and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Brigadier-General Mohammed Janbay.
Beary, who hails from Ireland, assumed UNIFIL's command on July 19, succeeding Major-General Luciano Portolano of Italy.
Currently, UNIFIL comprises almost 10,500 military personnel from 40 countries, including the Maritime Task Force, the only naval force in peacekeeping operations, and some 1,000 civilian national and international staff.
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