Beirut, Lebanon
Thursday, 22 October 2015
Today the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag visited south Lebanon for discussions with local authorities and army leadership, as well as a visit to UNIFIL headquarters and meeting with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Luciano Portolano.
In Bint Jbeil, the Special Coordinator met with parliamentarians and local authorities to discuss the main socio-economic and political challenges. She welcomed their public commitment to resolution 1701 and to addressing the needs of the populations in South Lebanon. Ms. Kaag visited a cooperative run by women in Bint Jbeil. “Women play a key role in development, peace and security,” she said, noting the need to do more to promote these roles throughout Lebanon.
At a Lebanese Armed Forces base in Tyre, the Special Coordinator said she was reassured by the general calm in South Lebanon and across the Blue Line, praising the cooperation between the LAF and UNIFIL. “But it is important not to be complacent,” she said. "Continuous efforts should be made to seek progress in the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701."