The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) held on Saturday a handover ceremony between the former commander of the forces Major General Alberto Asarta and his successor Paolo Serra

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) held on Saturday a handover ceremony between the former commander of the forces Major General Alberto Asarta and his successor Paolo Serra.

The farewell transfer of power was attended by Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn who was representing the President.  MP Ali Bazzi also attended representing Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Italian Defense Minister Giampaolo Di Paola, Spanish Army chief of Staff Admiral Fernando Garcia Sanchez and his Italian counterpart in addition to other army and political figures were present.

Ghosn commended “the efforts deployed by Asarta during his term as a UNIFIL chief, which resulted in a state of peace at the border.”

“More than five years after adoption of the resolution, conditions on the ground have significantly improved, the cessation of hostilities and respect for the Blue Line have been generally upheld by the parties (Lebanon and Zionist entity),” Asarta said. However, UNIFIL’s presence in the South cannot last forever, he indicated stressing the need for a permanent ceasefire between all concerned sides.

Addressing the attacks that had targeted the force over the past few months, he said they were a sign of the presence of armed groups that are prepared to target UNIFIL. “Their sacrifice has not been in vain, but shall encourage us, to continue upholding the highest principles of the organization to which they dedicated their lives.” He urged the Lebanese government to do its utmost and the international community continues to support the Lebanese army.

Serra was appointed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as the successor of Major General Alberto Asarta of Spain, who will relinquish his post on January 28.

Major-General Serra, in his first speech, said he is fully committed to working with the Lebanese Armed Forces, promising to further develop that strategic partnership to achieve the common goal of peace and stability.