BEIRUT, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Wednesday said he hopes the UN Security Council extends the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is expected to end on Aug. 31, 2022.
"Lebanon appreciates the important role of the UNIFIL in maintaining security and stability in the southern county," Aoun said in a statement released by Lebanon's Presidency.
The president's remarks came during his meeting with Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, UNIFIL's head of Mission and Force Commander, to discuss the security situation on the southern border.
Aoun highlighted the importance of increasing coordination between the Lebanese army and UNIFIL peacekeepers to promote stability in the southern region and prevent conflicts rising between peacekeepers and the local community in a number of villages.
For his part, Saenz reiterated UNIFIL's commitment to continue working with the Lebanese army to maintain peace and stability in southern Lebanon.
He added that a report will be released by the UN Security Council about the situation in southern Lebanon during the period from Feb. 19 to June 20 this year, and a session will be held on July 21 to decide on the extension of the UNIFIL mandate.
As of June 30, 2022, UNIFIL has more than 10,000 peacekeepers from 47 troop-contributing countries with a mandate to monitor the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, and support the Lebanese Armed Forces in keeping the area south of the Litani River free of unauthorized armed personnel, weapons, or other assets, according to the UN website. ■
