BEIRUT: Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Thursday that UNIFIL’s task will be completed only when the Lebanese Army takes control of south Lebanon, and thanked the international forces for their efforts.

“The task of the international forces operating in south Lebanon cannot be fulfilled before the Lebanese Army is responsible for preserving security [there],” Mikati said during a meeting with U.N. Interim Forces in Lebanon commander Maj. Gen. Alberto Asarta Cuevas.

According to Mikati’s press office, the prime minister also said that progress in that regard is moving in the right direction thanks to excellent cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army

Mikati also thanked Asarta for UNIFIL’s work and accomplishments in south Lebanon.