Lebanon: UN to host meeting in Beirut on mine clearance

An international support group for mine action work in Lebanon will convene its first meeting on 12 November at the United Nations House in Beirut, in an effort to ensure good cooperation between the agencies involved in landmine work in the country.

Chaired by Lebanese Minister of Defence Khalil Haraoui, the International Support Group (ISG) is composed of countries involved in assisting Lebanon rid itself of the scourge of landmines, the UN said in a statement issued today.

The goal of the meeting will be to exchange information in order to avoid gaps and overlaps in mine action activities. While the Group will be concerned with activities throughout Lebanon, it is expected that it will first concentrate on the southern part of the country, and also promote development activity in areas that will be cleared of landmines.