UNIFIL Head of Mission Hosts Local Authorities and Religious Leaders
UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Michael Beary on Saturday hosted local authorities, religious leaders and Lebanese Armed Forces representatives from south Lebanon at the UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura to convey his profound appreciation for their strong support and to discuss issues of common concern to UNIFIL and the local communities, a UNIFIL press release said.
Beary expressed his gratitude to the leaders for their continued cooperation and friendship they have unwaveringly demonstrated to UNIFIL peacekeepers and to the mandate of the Mission.
“Your cooperation is paramount to UNIFIL and it is vital for the implementation of Resolution 1701,” he said. “I assure you that your hospitality and support are very significant elements in UNIFIL’s success.”
“I am aware of the great needs the people of south Lebanon have and UNIFIL does its best to address some of these through different means, within its mandate,” he added. “I pledge to continue working with the Lebanese Armed Forces in order to maintain a safe and stable environment, in which the people of south Lebanon can grow more prosperous. I will also spare no effort in personally reaching out to you, on bilateral meetings or in occasions we might have to discuss our common goals and, hopefully, to celebrate our many achievements.”
LAF South Litani Sector Commander Brigadier-General Charbel Abou Khalil and the Mufti of Tyre and Jabal Amel Sheikh Hassan Abdallah also addressed the ceremony respectively on behalf of the Lebanese Army, local community and religious leaders. In their speeches, they strongly emphasized their heartfelt appreciation for the work carried out by UNIFIL in support of the local communities and in preserving stability in south Lebanon.
UNIFIL currently has over 10,000 peacekeepers from 40 troop contributing countries. Since 1978, UNIFIL has shown a strong humanitarian disposition that has been demonstrated on a daily basis. So far in 2016, UNIFIL has undertaken several thousand CIMIC (Civil-Military Co-operation) and Civil Affairs initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of the people of south Lebanon. The Mission has carried out an average of around 400 activities per day between patrolling in close coordination with the LAF and assistance to local communities.
In 2016, the Mission has provided free medical, dental, veterinary assistance in large numbers. Over 20,000 people have been treated by UNIFIL doctors and dentists. UNIFIL veterinaries have taken care of around 35,000 herds throughout the area of operations.
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