Beirut - Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Army Commander General Joseph Aoun on Friday visited the headquarters of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura to offer condolences over the death of an Irish peacekeeper in an incident in the southern town of al-Aqbiya..
Mikati and Aoun were welcomed by UNIFIL chief Maj. Gen. Aroldo Lazaro, who discussed with them the incident’s circumstances and the situation in the South, in addition to UNIFIL’s operations and the activities it carries out in cooperation with the Lebanese Army.
Expressing “profound sadness” over the incident, Mikati promised that the investigations will continue until its circumstances are unveiled.
“It is necessary to avoid a repetition of the incident in the future and I salute the memory of the martyrs of these forces, whose blood was mixed with the blood of the army and the southerners throughout the years,” Mikati added.
“We express our great appreciation of UNIFIL’s contribution to peace and stability in south Lebanon and I’m here to express, once again, that the Lebanese people and I personally deeply appreciate the work that you are doing,” the premier told the UNIFIL force.
Emphasizing that Lebanon is committed to the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and respects international resolutions, Mikati called on the U.N. to compel Israel to fully implement the resolutions and end its recurrent attacks on Lebanon and the violation of its sovereignty.
Mikati also said that “the environment in which the U.N. troops operate is a good environment,” adding that the perpetrators will be penalized.
General Joseph Aoun for his part extended warm condolences to Lazaro and lauded “the sacrifices of the members of UNIFIL, which is a strategic partner for the army in preserving security and stability in the south,” adding that “coordination and cooperation will continue.”
Naharnet
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