STORY: UNIFIL marks International Day of Peace
DATELINE: Sept. 22, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:07
LOCATION: Beirut
CATEGORY: MILITARY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the ceremony
2. various of UNIFIL soldiers during the ceremony
3. various of UNIFIL chief Aroldo Lazaro Saenz
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): AROLDO LAZARO SAENZ, Chief of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): AROLDO LAZARO SAENZ, Chief of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)

STORYLINE:

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) hosted Thursday a ceremony at its headquarters in Naqoura, south Lebanon on the occasion of the International Day of Peace.

The ceremony brought together Lebanese political representatives, including Deputy Parliament Speaker Elias Bou Saab, local authorities, religious leaders, the Lebanese Armed Forces and security forces, UN officials, including UN Special Coordination for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka, as well as members of the international community.

"We keep the peace that the parties have each given space for, have each worked to maintain in their own ways. But whenever it is threatened, UNIFIL is there, ready to help," said Chief of the UNIFIL Aroldo Lazaro Saenz.

During the ceremony, the UNIFIL chief and Lebanese army representative Brigadier General Mounir Shehade laid wreaths at the cenotaph in memory of the over 300 UNIFIL peacekeepers who have lost their lives while serving in south Lebanon since 1978.

The UNIFIL head emphasized the mission's strong partnership with the Lebanese government and armed forces.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): AROLDO LAZARO SAENZ, Chief of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
"We are here at the invitation of the Lebanese government, who has been our host for over forty-five years. We coordinate closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces, conducting patrols with them and on our own, to help the government someday exercise its authority over the entirety of this beautiful country."

He also stressed the importance of restraint and UNIFIL's role in decreasing tensions.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): AROLDO LAZARO SAENZ, Chief of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
"The danger of miscalculation remains, a danger that could jeopardize the cessation of hostilities and lead us to conflict. It is important for the parties to bear this in mind, and to use our liaison and coordination mechanisms to de-conflict situations and decrease tensions. The full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 remains a shared responsibility and the commitment of the parties is necessary to advance towards a long-term solution."

During the ceremony, military officers were awarded with the UN Peacekeeping Medal in recognition of their participation in the mission's work.

The International Day of Peace, observed around the world on Sept. 21, was established by the UN General Assembly in 1981. It is dedicated to cease-fire and non-violence and is an occasion to promote tolerance, justice, and human rights.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beirut.
(XHTV)