BEIRUT, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Michael Beary hailed Tuesday the deployment of the Rapid Intervention Regiment (RIR) from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in southern Lebanon.
According to a press release by the UNIFIL, Beary met with Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Beirut to congratulate him on the success of the Lebanese government and LAF's recent military operations.
"I appreciate the recent deployment of the RIR as a first step towards the accelerated and durable deployment of the LAF in southern Lebanon and its territorial waters," said the Beary, noting that it will help further enhance efforts in patrolling the area of operations.
The area south of the Litani River till the Blue Line has experienced unprecedented 11 years of stability.
"Together with the LAF we need to build on the relative calm and further increase coordination to respond to incidents and prevent hostile activities especially along the Blue Line in a timely manner," added Beary.
During the meeting, Beary briefed Hariri on the renewal of UNIFIL's mandate, welcoming the unanimous decision by the UN Security Council through Resolution 2373, which extends the mandate to Aug. 31, 2018.
He also thanked the Lebanese leader for his continued support to the mission, as well as for championing efforts towards a permanent cease-fire.
Beary and Hariri also discussed the strengthened collaboration between UNIFIL and LAF, pointed the release.
