UNIFIL commander Maj. Gen. Paolo Serra said the continued Israeli occupation of the Lebanese side of the border village of Ghajar has political reasons.

In remarks to al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday, Serra said: “The problem of Ghajar is political more than military.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati held talks with his Italian counterpart Mario Monti who arrived in Beirut on a one-day visit on Saturday during which he will also meet with UNIFIL’s Italian contingent.

“We appreciate Italy’s continuous support for Lebanon in the international community and stability in the South,” Miqati said during a joint press conference with his Italian counterpart.

Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti is expected to arrive in Lebanon on Saturday on a one-day official visit, An Nahar newspaper reported.

The daily said that the PM will visit his country’s contingent in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon which is headed by Italian commander Maj. Gen. Paolo Serra.

Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn confirmed that smuggling operations are taking place along the border with Syria, admitting that it is “very difficult” to completely monitor the entire 330 kilometer-border, reported the daily An Nahar on Sunday.

He told the daily: “The army is performing all it can to curb the illegal activity.”

More than 3,000 Lebanese, Palestinian and foreign demonstrators marched to the Beaufort Castle in Nabatiyeh on Friday to mark Land Day, an annual protest against discriminatory Israeli land policies.

Waving Palestinian flags and singing Palestinian national songs, the protestors performed the traditional dabke dance as security forces kept them from moving beyond the Crusader-built castle that lies 15 kilometers from the Israeli border.

Abu Mohammed Toufic Taha, the head the takfiri network that has been recently discovered in Lebanon, is one of the most active members of al-Qaida in Lebanon, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday.

It said that he is also in constant contact, through the internet, with al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri from whom he receives orders and directions.

UNIFIL Commander Maj. Gen. Paolo Serra said on Monday that the peacekeepers were able to successfully achieve some key mandated objectives but stressed challenges remain.

“In the period ahead, my focus will be to assist the parties to maintain and solidify the cessation of hostilities and respect (Security Council) resolution 1701,” Serra said at a ceremony at the mission headquarters in Naqoura to observe the 34th anniversary of the peacekeepers’ presence in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli forces have not set a definite date to construct a concrete wall along the Blue Line adjacent to the southern town of Kfarkila, despite their strong presence in the area, the An Nahar daily said Monday.

Logistical reasons could be delaying the construction of the wall, sources following up on the issue said, and pointed out that the process could kick off by the end of March following Earth Day celebrations.

United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon Commander General Paolo Serra said on Saturday that the peacekeeping mission is determined to halt the hostile practices between Lebanon and Israel and implement the U.N. Security Council resolution 1701.

“The past five years were the calmest period in southern Lebanon’s history… and the UNIFIL is determined to help the two parties to maintain a stable cease of hostile practices,” Serra said during a medal ceremony at the Irish contingent headquarters.

President Michel Suleiman received on Thursday United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon’s “strategic revision” of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon, reported the daily An Nahar on Friday.

It said that the six-page report is aimed at guaranteeing that the international force will be able to complete its peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.