NNA - President of the Republic l, Joseph Aoun, on Wednesday reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to the continued presence of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the country’s south, stressing its critical role in upholding UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces.

During his meeting with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, President Aoun emphasized that maintaining stability in southern Lebanon is not only vital for Lebanon but for the entire region. He underscored the importance of UNIFIL’s mission in safeguarding this stability.

The President also expressed hope that donor countries would continue to ensure the necessary funding for peacekeeping operations so that UNIFIL’s performance is not adversely affected. He noted that Lebanon will undertake diplomatic outreach to friendly and brotherly nations to help secure this support.

In recognition of his service, President Aoun awarded UNIFIL Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro the National Order of the Cedar (Commander Rank) for his dedicated leadership of the peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon.

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