NAQOURA, Lebanon: Visiting U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro said attacks against peacekeepers will not intimidate them or prevent them from carrying out their mission.

“Attacks on U.N. peacekeepers will not prevent them from carrying the white flag,” she said during a visit to south Lebanon.

The Tanzania-born Migiro, who inspected the work of peacekeepers in south Lebanon at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon in the border coastal town of Naqoura, said the role of U.N. troops in south Lebanon was to help broker a permanent cease-fire and a long-term solution to the conflict between Lebanon and Israel.

“If we want to build a culture of peace we ought to bolster understanding and mutual respect,” she said.

Migiro hailed the partnership between the peacekeeping troops and the Lebanese Army. “Our partnership with Lebanon is an excellent one and let’s vow to exert all efforts to preserve peace and progress in this country,” said Migiro, who visited the Tanzanian contingent operating as part of UNIFIL.

Migiro also paid a visit to a UNIFIL-funded school project in the Naqoura region, where she listened to the feedback of teachers and students.

During a reception in the southern coastal city of Tyre in honor of the U.N. Deputy Secretary-General, UNIFIL commander Maj. Gen. Alberto Asarta Cuevas saluted the Lebanese Army, saying it played a key role in marinating peace and stability in south Lebanon.

“Cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese role played a pivotal role in the implementation of Resolution 1701,” said Asarta, in reference to a Security Council resolution, which put an end to the 2006 summer war with Israel.

Migiro, who arrived in Lebanon Wednesday as part of a four-day visit, is expected to meet Lebanese leaders including President Michel Sleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

During her stay, Migiro will also head the 16th meeting of the U.N.’s Regional Coordination Mechanism and meet chiefs and staff of U.N. agencies in Lebanon.