Italian, Slovenian peacekeepers honored at UNIFIL ceremony

BEIRUT: The United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon honored Slovenian and Italian peacekeepers Saturday in a ceremony in the southern city of Tyre where UNIFIL commander Maj. Gen. Paolo Serra reaffirmed the troops’ commitment to maintaining the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel.
During the ceremony, which took place at the Roman Hippodrome in south Lebanon, Serra awarded U.N. Peace Medals to 1,112 Italian peacekeepers and 14 troops from Slovenia.

“Your professionalism and experience have been greatly appreciated by your fellow peacekeepers and, most importantly, by the people of southern Lebanon,” Serra told the honorees.
“In this way, you have helped increase the population’s trust and understanding of the mission,” he added.
Italian Ambassador to Lebanon Guiseppe Morabito was among the attendees and said his country was committed to stability and safety of Lebanon’s territories.
He added that the international forces, consisting of 37 troop-contributing countries, have carried out their duties as best they can according to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and praised Lebanese-Italian relations.
Serra also reaffirmed “UNIFIL’s stern commitment to assist the parties to maintain and solidify the cessation of hostilities and to promote full respect for Resolution 1701.”
There are currently around 11,751 peacekeepers stationed in south Lebanon to monitor the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon and support the Lebanese Army in taking full control of the border.

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