BEIRUT: The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon delivered 106 vehicles and related spare parts to the Lebanese Armed Forces at a ceremony Thursday at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, UNIFIL said in a statement.
The delivery of the vehicles, the third batch from the U.N. in little over a year, is part of UNIFIL’s efforts to support the army in line with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and to buttress the operational capabilities of its strategic partner in southern Lebanon.
“Today’s transfer, which follows the donation of 24 vehicles in April and 39 vehicles in August last year, is a reflection of UNIFIL’s continued commitment to enhance the operational capability of the Lebanese Armed Forces to ensure security in the south, as per U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701,” UNIFIL Maj. Gen. Alberto Asarta Cuevas said during the ceremony.
Brig. Gen. Georges Zakhem, representing the army Commander General Jean Kahwaji, and Brig. Gen. Sadek Tlais, army Commander in the south Litani area, represented the army at the handover ceremony.
Although used, the vehicles delivered today are in good running condition. They include four-wheel drive vehicles and trucks.
UNIFIL Director of Mission Support, Girish Sinha, said UNIFIL looks forward to the continued collaboration and strengthening of the relationship between the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL.