UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations on Tuesday called on leaders of both Lebanon and Israel to find political solutions to their conflict with the help of the UN peacekeeping force.

Wrapping up his visit to Lebanon, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said "it is important for the leaders on both sides to take advantage of the window of opportunity that UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon) has helped provide to work towards a permanent ceasefire and long-term solution to the conflict as envisaged in UN Security Council resolution 1701."

"A peacekeeping operation helps create the space for political solutions," Lacroix said.

He made the call after ending a Middle East tour that included a visit to the UNIFIL, and meetings with high-ranking government officials in the region.

While in Lebanon, Lacroix met with President Michel Aoun and other senior officials, and saw first-hand the crucial work done by UNIFIL, in close coordination with the Labanese national armed forces.

UNIFIL was established in 1978 following Israel's invasion of southern Lebanon after the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) carried out a deadly attack on its territory. Some 10,500 peacekeepers from 41 countries are still serving in its area of operations.

Lacroix praised the Lebanese government's continuous support and cooperation in implementing the UNIFIL mandate, which includes monitoring the cessation of hostilities in the wake of the July 2006 conflict.

Security Council resolution 1701, which mapped out steps for a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution between Israel and Lebanon, was adopted in August 2006.