Assi El Hellani celebrates Lebanese Independence with UNIFIL

27 November 2013 Lebanese singer and composer Mr. Assi El Hellani today joined UNIFIL at celebrations to mark Lebanon’s 70th independence anniversary, at the UNFIL headquarters in Naqoura. Mr. El Hellani, who is also a UN Goodwill Ambassador, met with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Paolo Serra before joining the celebrations, organised by the national staff union of UNIFIL. “I commend UNIFIL peacekeepers for their participation in maintaining peace and stability in Lebanon,” Mr. El Hellani said. “Lebanon will not forget your sacrifice and contribution in preserving peace in the south. You are always welcome.” Mr. El Hellani, who performed at the ceremony, paid tribute to the peacekeepers who have lost their lives in pursuit for peace and praised the collaboration between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces. Major-General Serra congratulated Lebanon on its independence anniversary while, reiterating UNIFIL’s commitment to preserve peace and stability in south Lebanon. “UNIFIL will continue to work closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces to maintain peace in south Lebanon,” he added. “I also want to commend our national staff for their professionalism and exemplary performance. National staff have a special task in contributing to the mission’s mandate,” he said. During the event UNIFIL staff member Ms. Monita Youssef performed a self-composed Lebanese independence day song. After the celebrations, Mr. El Hellani took a short tour of the mission’s environment projects: the waste water treatment plant, the solar farms and the recycling facility. During this tour he was briefed on the work carried out by the Mission to reduce its footprints in south Lebanon. El Hellani’s music career started after winning the Art Studio TV Program ‘’ Studio Al Fan “at the age of 17. To date, he has released more than 23 albums and 50 music videos and is a renowned music icon in the region. Besides his music career, he actively participates in various humanitarian initiatives and is a member of the World Food Program initiative to fight poverty and hunger. He is also the goodwill Ambassador of UNDP’s “Live Lebanon” programme. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Video Camera: Mohamad Hamze/Ghifar Charafeddine

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