BEIRUT, Mar 1 (NNN-NNA) – Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)’s new chief, vowed yesterday, to ensure the sustained cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, and to foster the respect of the Blue Line by both parties.
In a statement released by UNIFIL, Saenz said, he “will resort to the liaison and coordination arrangements, including the tripartite mechanisms,” which have been held regularly between Lebanon, Israel, and the United Nations, since the end of the 2006 war in south Lebanon, as essential conflict management and confidence-building mechanism.
The Spanish commander made the remarks during a ceremony, held at the UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, to officially transfer authority from outgoing UNIFIL chief, Stefano Del Col of Italy, to him.
Saenz added, continuing the current pace of coordinated activities between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces will help maintain stability along the Blue Line.
The Blue Line is a demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel, as well as, Lebanon and the Golan Heights, published by the United Nations in 2000, for the purposes of determining whether Israel had fully withdrawn from Lebanon. The line, stretching for 120 km along Lebanon’s southern frontier, is a key to peace in the region.
Before handing over command, Del Col applauded the cooperation of the parties for working with him, saying that, “moving forward and leaving the past behind is of paramount importance for both countries. Peace is possible, but courage, commitment and progress are necessary to proceed in this direction.”– NNN-NNA
