source: UNIFIL SW

General Del Col's peacekeepers respond to the global call in the name of international peace and security.

Acting collectively to preserve peace

​​The 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations was celebrated in Naqoura (Lebanon) in the presence of Division General Stefano Del Col, Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNIFIL.

Representatives of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and some local political authorities took part in the ceremony.

General Del Col and his blue helmets of the 45 countries operating in UNIFIL, among which Italy is the second contributing nation, have responded in unison to the global call in the name of international peace and security as enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

"This day reminds us how important it is to act collectively to preserve peace!". This was stated by General Del Col during his speech, specifying that in southern Lebanon this means reaffirming and fulfilling the common goal of the cessation of hostilities.

The Commander renewed his appeal to the parties concerned to continue their engagement with the UN mission. "In UNIFIL, we all work together for our goal of maintaining an environment conducive to lasting peace and stability," he added, "even in a difficult time like this, UNIFIL creates the conditions for political and diplomatic efforts to take root, working towards a long-term solution and a permanent ceasefire".

General Del Col underlined that the 14 years of relative calm and stability in southern Lebanon have been achieved collectively thanks to the cooperation of the conflict parties and the local population. "I trust that the new negotiations underway at UNIFIL between the two countries about​ the definition of borders will allow the full adoption of UNSCR 1701".

During the ceremony, General Del Col laid a wreath at the War Memorial to pay homage to the over 300 peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives in the name of peace in southern Lebanon.


In 1947, the UN General Assembly sanctioned 24th October as the anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter, of which Lebanon is one of the 51 founding members, an​d it is celebrated worldwide.

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