Affirmation on Continued Cooperation with New Govt. during Aoun Meeting with Lacroix, Del Cole

President Michel Aoun held a meeting at Baabda Palace on Tuesday with Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UNIFIL Commander Stefano Del Cole and an accompanying delegation, the State-run National News Agency reported.

Lacroix affirmed continued support for the new Lebanese government and said: “I came with my UN colleagues to visit President Aoun, who reiterated Lebanon's support for FINUL's work.

“Cooperation between the Lebanese authorities and the international force is essential.For decades, we have been in southern Lebanon, and this has helped calm the situation there,” said Lacroix.

Lacroix added: “We have assured President Aoun of our willingness to continue cooperation with the new government, an opportunity to re-launch several important projects for Lebanon and to work together to strengthen the Lebanese military forces in southern Lebanon and to gradually strengthen their maritime capabilities so that there is a gradual shift in work between the presence of the international naval force and the Lebanese army.”