Beary: Security Situation Improved, I Follow Hizbullah's Concerns Through Media

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Michael Beary said on Monday that the security situation in Lebanon is much better, as he assured that he follows up on “Hizbullah's fears through media outlets.”

“The situation is much better. Efforts must carry on to preserve peace and stability in south Lebanon in collaboration with concerned parties,” Beary told As Safir daily in an interview.

“The major challenge lies in maintaining efforts to achieve success in the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 in terms of monitoring the cessation of hostilities, and to try to move towards a permanent ceasefire. In order to achieve this end, we have to maintain links with the parties, including through the tripartite meeting which leads to the required results, and that we continue to place visible marks on the Blue line in order to avoid any breach.”

Beary drove the attention to the UNIFIL's collaboration with Lebanese army in that regard, he said: “There is a good relationship with the Lebanese army on the strategic and operational levels.”

In terms of the relations with Hizbullah, Beary stressed that he personally has no direct contacts with the party, he said: “I follow Lebanese media and I can see what the concerns of Hizbullah are. We are working with the representative of the Lebanese government on the ground, namely the Lebanese army which is the main party that we communicate with.”