BREAKING NEWS

U.N. envoy Danon: New UNIFIL commander can help fight against Hezbollah

AUGUST 8, 2018 07:26

Updated: AUGUST 8, 2018 08:34

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon welcomed new head of UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the UN's force mandated with maintaining peace and security on the Israel-Lebanon border, according to a statement to the press released Tuesday.

“Israel welcomes Major General Stefano Del Col of Italy, on assuming the role as UNIFIL’s Head of Mission,” said Danon.

“UNIFIL is an important force, with more than 10,000 soldiers,” Danon continued. “Its more robust mandate is designed to push back against the blatant, unauthorized arms buildup of Hezbollah, a proxy of Iran, in southern Lebanon. With a new commander, there is a new opportunity to fulfill more of this important mission.”

Major General Michael Beary, from Ireland, stepped down as Head of Mission of UNIFIL after four years at the post.

UNIFIL was expanded to include monitoring the area between the Blue Line and Litani River, and keep it free of armed personnel, other than Lebanese government or UNIFIL forces following the Second Lebanon War in 2006. The US and Israel worked together to further expand UNIFIL’s mandate by authorizing patrols with Lebanese forces and requiring reports when peacekeepers run into Hezbollah roadblocks, last September.

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