Premier Salam thanked the lawmakers for their initiative and reaffirmed that "Lebanon’s official position remains committed to the need for a UN force in the south tasked with three essential functions: monitoring and reporting, and coordination and communication."
The Prime Minister indicated, "I personally conveyed Lebanon's clear position on this matter to the UN Secretary-General, during his visit to Beirut and in subsequent communications. He expressed his understanding of the need for a continued UN presence in southern Lebanon to succeed UNIFIL, which he also reflected in his latest report on the matter."
Following the meeting, MP Khalaf said: "We had the honor of meeting with the Prime Minister, following our meeting this morning with the President of the Republic. The discussion focused on maintaining the UNIFIL force in the south, particularly during this difficult phase we are going through."
"We clearly stressed that the petition signed by 86 MPs - more than two-thirds of the members of Parliament - expresses a clear will to move toward a national desire to maintain the UN umbrella over Lebanese territory."
Khalaf stressed the need to maintain the monitoring, reporting, coordination, and liaison missions carried out by UNIFIL since its creation in 1978.