United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
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3 Indonesian UNIFIL Troops Hurt as Jeep Overturns Due to Storm

Three Indonesian peacekeepers with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were injured Friday in a traffic accident in southern Lebanon.

The troops were wounded “when their military jeep overturned during a routine patrol on the Kfar Kila-Adaisseh road due to rain and bad weather,” state-run National News Agency reported.

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Italian PM Letta Arrives in Beirut Friday to Tackle Support to Lebanese Army

Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta is expected to arrive in Beirut on Friday to hold talks with senior officials and to prepare for an international conference to provide the Lebanese army with the help it needs to boost its performance.

Local newspaper reported on Friday that the Italian Premier will hold talks with President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and his Lebanese counterpart Najib Miqati.

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Telecom Committee: If Our State was Capable, Israel Wouldn't have Dared to Violate Our Sovereignty

The parliamentary telecommunications committee denounced on Monday the Israeli espionage stations along the border as violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, pointing out that it is happening despite the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and the presence of the UNIFIL.

“The ongoing Israeli aggression took a new direction in terms of the used techniques,” head of the committee MP Hassan Fadlallah told reporters after chairing a two-hour meeting at the parliament.

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UNIFIL to Aid Lebanon in Oil Exploration after 'Political Solution' Reached

UNIFIL Commander Maj. Gen. Paolo Serra said on Thursday that the peacekeeping force is waiting for the Lebanese to reach a political solution over the extraction of the country's oil and gas resources to ensure the safety of the its maritime.

The “UNIFIL has nine vessels and will offer all the logistic capabilities to aid Lebanon in the drilling process,” Serra said in comments published in al-Akhbar newspaper.

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UNIFIL Marks International Day of Peace, Serra Hails Cooperation with Army

UNIFIL Commander Maj. Gen. Paolo Serra stressed on Saturday that the success in maintaining peace in southern Lebanon is due to the strategic partnership with the Lebanese army.

“I am very grateful for their support and cooperation and I remain firmly committed to conduct all our activities in close coordination with them,” Serra said during a speech at a ceremony in UNIFIL headquarters in the southern town of Naqoura to mark the 32nd International Day of Peace.

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Serra Says UNIFIL Focused on its Tasks, Appreciates Commitment to 1701

UNIFIL Commander Maj. Gen. Paolo Serra said Tuesday that he thanked President Michel Suleiman for Lebanon's strong commitment to U.N. Security Council resolution 1701 despite many challenges.

Following a meeting with Suleiman at Baabda Palace, Serra said: “ I expressed my appreciation for the strong commitment to resolution 1701 that Lebanon has demonstrated in the face of the multitude of challenges it has been dealing with.”

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Serra to Berri: UNIFIL Remains Focused on its Mandate

UNIFIL Commander Maj. Gen. Paolo Serra reassured Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday that the peacekeeping mission's mandate has not changed, a UNIFIL statement said.

“Berri has always been highly appreciative of our mission and his support and encouragement defines the essence of the strong relationship UNIFIL peacekeepers share with the people of south Lebanon,” said Serra following talks with Berri.

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Tenenti: UNIFIL Will Not Evacuate South if Regional Situation Escalates

Spokesman of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Andrea Tenenti noted that the implementation of U.N. Security Council 1701 will be halted should the situation in the region escalate, reported al-Mustaqbal daily on Sunday.

He added to the daily that UNIFIL will not leave the South should the situation escalate.

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Diplomats: UNIFIL Considers Hush-Hush Evacuation of Families from South

The leadership of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is mulling an evacuation of the families of its staff away from the media spotlight, Lebanese diplomats said.

The diplomats, who were not identified, told As Safir newspaper published Saturday that the UNIFIL leadership hasn't yet taken the decision to order around 200 families out of Lebanon.

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Letta Confirms Italian Destroyer Being Deployed Near Lebanon Coast

Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta said Friday that a naval torpedo destroyer was being deployed just off the Lebanese coast to protect the 1,100 Italian troops on U.N. peacekeeping duty in Lebanon.

Italian media reported a second warship, a frigate, was also being sent to Lebanon's coast, but the Defense Ministry denied plans to deploy it.

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