Lebanese president meets UNIFIL commander

Lebanese President Gen. Michel Suleiman met here on Wednesday the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Commander General Paolo Serra. During the meeting, General Paolo Serra informed president suleiman on the modus operandi of the situation in south lebanon and the task of the UNIFIL in addition to coordination existing with the lebanese army within the framework of following up the execution of the UN resolution 1701. It is worthy to mention that the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, was created by the United Nations, with the adoption of Security Council Resolution 425 and 426 on 19 March 1978, to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon which Israel had invaded five days prior, restore international peace and security, and help the Government of Lebanon restore its effective authority in the area. The first UNIFIL troops were deployed in the area on 23 March 1978; these troops were reassigned from other UN peacekeeping operations in the area (namely the United Nations Emergency Force and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force Zone).