President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, welcomed at Baabda Palace on Friday Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Michael Beary, who visited the President with an accompanying delegation.
The President relayed to Beary Lebanon’s demand to consider the 13 points it holds along the “Blue Line”, which Lebanon does not regard as a final border, but rather a temporary measure that had been adopted after liberation took place back in the year 2000 when Israel withdrew from South Lebanon.
“Israel’s construction of a wall off the Lebanese border, and under the current status of the Blue Line, contradicts with the efforts of UNIFIL, in cooperation with the Lebanese army, to maintain security and stability along the southern border,” Aoun said.
“Lebanon is providing full support to UNIFIL to carry out the required tasks,” Aoun added. “The army has deployed an additional troop to maintain stability and help implement resolution 1701, at the time that Israel persists its incessant violations against the country’s sovereignty,” Aoun told Beary and his accompanying delegation.
In return, General Beary briefed President Aoun on “the stable situation prevailing in the south,” lauding the Lebanese Army’s efforts supporting UNIFIL to implement International Security Council resolution #1701.”
On another level, Aoun and Beary discussed preparations underway for Rome II conference set to take place on the 28th of February in support of the Lebanese Army and security forces, as well as the tasks of UNIFIL.
Source: Al-Manar Website and NNA
