BEIRUT, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese government discussed Tuesday with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura over efforts to maintain the overall stability in the south of Lebanon.

Lebanese caretaker Minister of Defense Yaacoub Al Sarraf and UNIFIL head of Mission and Force Commander Stefano Del Col attended the meeting.

Sarraf praised the cooperation between the Lebanese army and the UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon.

"I congratulate UNIFIL for the proactive cooperation that contributed to the stability of this area, especially with the local population," he said.

For his part, the UNIFIL official said that the cooperation between UNIFIL and Lebanese army has been crucial in preserving stability along the Blue Line for more than 12 years.

Sarraf and Del Col discussed enhanced cooperation between the UN peacekeeping mission and the Lebanese army in south of the Litani River as well as steps taken to implement UN Security Council resolution 1701 and related resolutions.