BEIRUT, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A senior UN official said on Thursday that the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) will continue efforts to preserve peace on border areas and find a long-term solution to the disputes between Lebanon and Israel.

"Preserving peace cannot replace the political solution but it helps parties to reach this objective," the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix was quoted as saying by the National News Agency.

Lacroix's remarks came in conclusion of his visit to Lebanon where he conducted talks with Lebanese officials.

Lacroix said he hopes to see a boost in the capabilities of Lebanese Armed Forces and increase their presence in the south of Lebanon with UNIFIL forces.

"We also hope to see an increase in the capabilities of Lebanon's maritime forces," he said.

UNIFIL has been operating in south Lebanon since 2006 by supporting land and maritime Lebanese forces in improving their capabilities and preserving peace in the area.