UN mission on Lebanon-Israel border marks 40th anniversary

The head of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon praises their contribution to peace efforts as the force marks 40 years since its establishment on the frontier with neighboring Israel.

Maj. Gen. Michael Beary, commander of the force known as UNIFIL, says that the mission “works tirelessly to preempt a return to conflict, a return to turmoil and loss of life, a return to some of the dark days of the past” between the two countries.

His comments come amid new threats between Lebanon and Israel over several issues, including a wall the Jewish state is building along the border that Beirut says may jut into Lebanese territories, as well as plans for oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean.

The peacekeeping force was founded in 1978 after Israel invaded parts of southern Lebanon to quell incessant terror attacks. Violence has broken out on several occasions since then, including major wars in 1982 and 2006.

Beary warns that conflict “can start in an instant, can take generations to find a permanent solution.”

“South Lebanon has enjoyed 11 years of calm since 2006, and the last two years in our areas of operations, in particular, have been among the quietest on record,” Beary says. “UNIFIL works together with the parties to sustain this calm.”

— AP