Lebanon: UN border assessment team begins second mission

The independent United Nations team tasked with assessing the monitoring of the Lebanese border with Syria has begun its second mission to Lebanon, it was announced today.

The Lebanon Independent Border Assessment Team (LIBAT), dispatched by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, will conduct a broad review of Lebanon’s ongoing efforts to enhance its border management capacity, following the recommendations made by the team after its first visit to the country last year.

The five-member group, comprised of experts in border security, police, customs and military issues, will carry out consultations with Lebanese officials as well as other partners already assisting Lebanon in this area.

The team is expected to be in the country for two weeks and will issue a report to Mr. Ban – who set up the team in April 2007 in response to a request from the Security Council – following the mission.