NAQOURA, Lebanon, March 20 (UPI) -- The U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon commemorated its 31st anniversary with a wreath-laying ceremony at its headquarters in Naqoura with Lebanese commanders.
There are some 12,500 international peacekeepers supporting UNIFIL operations in southern Lebanon.
Israeli forces invaded Lebanese territory in 1978 in response to conflicts with the Palestine Liberation Organization. The United Nations established UNIFIL under Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426 in 1978 to provide assistance to the Lebanese government and confirm the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
The 2006 conflict between the Israeli military and forces supported by the Lebanese Hezbollah prompted the Security Council to enhance UNIFIL under Resolution 1701, which calls in part for further UNIFIL coordination with the Lebanese military.
"UNIFIL in close coordination with the Lebanese army is doing its utmost to ensure security in the area at all times," said UNIFIL Maj. Gen. Claudio Graziano. "Our troops actively monitor developments through permanent positions, temporary observations posts and by conduct of ground and air patrols on a daily basis."
Claudio and Lebanese Brig. Gen. Abed el-Rahman Shehaitly laid wreaths at UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon to commemorate the 275 peacekeepers killed during the 31-year mission.
