Five days joint training between LAF and UNIFIL

UNIFIL’s French contingent with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) on a joint training exercise at the French headquarters in Ad-Tiri.

This Urban Combat training exercise is to inspect and secure buildings, and is one part of a 5 day joint training exercise between UNIFIL peacekeepers and LAF.

The UNIFIL French peacekeeper running the Urban Combat training discusses the exercise with a group LAF and UNIFIL soldiers, while their colleagues look on.

A LAF soldier works on a French APC as part of vehicle maintenance training at UNIFIL’s French headquarters in Ad-Tiri. 

A UNIFIL French peacekeeper works on a French armoured vehicle as part of the 5 day joint training between UNIFIL and LAF.  

A UNIFIL French peacekeeper and trainer instructs a LAF soldier as part of the vehicle maintenance training.

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13 Jan 2017

Five days joint training between LAF and UNIFIL

There is an air of anticipation as the group of six soldiers crouch in silence outside the closed building with their weapons poised. Three of the soldiers are from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and three are peacekeepers from UNIFIL’s French contingent.  At the signal the trio of Lebanese move towards the door. On the whispered count of “three” one of them yanks the door open. Immediately the three of them enter the room to search and secure it. Once they confirm it is clear the trio of French enter the building and secure the next room.

This Urban Combat exercise is part of a joint training between UNIFIL and the LAF. On a break between repeats of the drill Second Lt. Samer Harar from the LAF elaborates, “We, in the 5th Intervention Regiment, came here to train with UNIFIL's French contingent on carrying out raids - securing houses and streets. This training will help us a lot when we enter houses to rescue hostages if they are held inside, and to apprehend terrorists anywhere they are, whether inside houses or out in rugged areas.” Behind him a mixed group of Lebanese and French soldiers discuss the exercise. Harar smiles as he watches the interaction, “They are teaching us theoretical things and we have also studied operational things. This means they are also gaining from our experience, which we have implemented on the ground.”

The Urban Combat exercise is just one section of a week-long joint training between the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL’s French contingent. Another training session covers vehicle maintenance. Wearing mechanics overalls First Lt. Khalil Hajj Diab from the Lebanese army explains, “Definitely, when we return to our positions, we will disseminate the expertise we have gained and train our soldiers in a better way.”

In 2006 the United Nations Security Council issued Resolution 1701 to foster peace and stability in South Lebanon. One of the key aspects of this resolution is that UNIFIL supports the operations of the Lebanese Armed Forces in south Lebanon. The capacity of both the LAF and the UNIFIL peacekeepers is enhanced through joint training such as this.

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Article: Aoibheann O'Sullivan
Video Editor: Suzane Badereddine, Aoibheann O'Sullivan
Video Camera: Mohammad Hamze, Aoibheann O'Sullivan
Photo: Pasqual Gorriz
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