LEBANON / FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER UNIFIL VISIT

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of Lebanon, Nassif Hitti, visited the UNIFIL Headquarters as well the Mission’s area of operations and the Blue Line accompanied by over 30 young Lebanese diplomats, to see first-hand the work carried out by the Mission in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), in stabilizing the situation on the ground for almost 14 years. UNIFIL

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:00:44
• Production Date: 1 July 2020
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON - UNIFIL
• Subject Topical: DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS; PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
• Geographic Subject: LEBANON
• MAMS Id: 2549736
• Parent Id: 2549736
• Alternate Title: unifeed200701e

Description

STORY: LEBANON / FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER UNIFIL VISIT
TRT: 00:44
SOURCE: UNIFIL
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: NATS

DATELINE: 01 JULY 2020, NAQOURA, LEBANON

Shotlist

1. Various shots, helicopter landing at UNIFIL HQ Helipad
2. Various shots, UNIFIL Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col welcoming Lebanese Foreign Minister Nassif Hitti
3. Med shot, Hitti greeting Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF)
4. Various shots, Hitti and UN Guard de Honour
5. Various shots, Hitti and Del Col meeting
6. Various shots, Lebanese MOFA Delegation meeting with UNIFIL officials in HQ in Naqoura
7. Various shots, Hitti signing book (Book Signing)
8. Various shots, Lebanese MOFA Delegation visiting UNP 5-42 (UN position) in the vicinity of Ramyah along the Blue Line
9. Wide shot, Group Photo at UNIFIL Cenotaph - UNIFIL HQ

Storyline

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of Lebanon, Nassif Hitti, today (1 Jul) visited the UNIFIL Headquarters as well the Mission’s area of operations and the Blue Line accompanied by over 30 young Lebanese diplomats, to see first-hand the work carried out by the Mission in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), in stabilizing the situation on the ground for almost 14 years.

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col welcomed the Minister and his delegation in the UNIFIL Headquarters and briefed them on various aspects of the implementation on the UN Security Council resolution 1701, which forms the core of UNIFIL’s mandate.

During his briefing, the UNIFIL head stressed unreservedly on preserving the sanctity of the Blue Line. He added that UNIFIL presence along the 120-km line has been an essential element in assisting the parties to reduce potential frictions, de-escalating situations as well as decreasing tension that could have jeopardized the cessation of hostilities.

Major General Del Col assured that despite the COVID-19 crisis, UNIFIL’s activities continue at normal levels.

The Minister later carried out an aerial tour of the Blue Line, while another part of the delegation visited a section of the Blue Line at a UNIFIL Ghanaian contingent base near the south-western Lebanese village of Ramyah.

He remarked that the visit confirms Lebanon’s commitment to international legitimacy, represented by the United Nations and through the role of UNIFIL, in maintaining security and stability in southern Lebanon.

Minister Hitti’s visit, his first since being appointed to the post in January, follows that of Prime Minister Hassan Diab to the UNIFIL Headquarters more than a month ago during which the latter reaffirmed the importance of the continued coordination and close cooperation between UNIFIL and the LAF, thereby facilitating the UNIFIL’s mission.