BEIRUT, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Friday that Israel's plan to build a wall along its border with Lebanon will undermine efforts by the peacekeeping mission and the Lebanese army.

Aoun made the comments during his meeting at Baabda Palace with Michael Beary, the commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), according to a statement by the Presidential media office.

Israel's decision to build a wall within the demarcated Blue Line "doesn't go in harmony with the efforts that the UNIFIL is exerting in cooperation with the Lebanese army to preserve security and stability along the southern border," he said.

Blue Line is a border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel published by the UN in 2000.

"Lebanon doesn't consider the Blue Line as the final border. It is a temporary measure that was used following Lebanon's liberation in 2000 and Israel's withdrawal," Aoun said.

For his part, Beary assured Aoun that the situation in southern Lebanon was stable, and praised the work the Lebanese army has been doing.

Beary and Aoun also talked about the Rome II conference scheduled for February, which will aim to garner support for the Lebanese security forces. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)