UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
As the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said, the legendary strength of the Lebanese people now faces an additional test. Throughout its history, the city of Beirut has been destroyed and rebuilt seven times. While still mourning the dead and those still missing, Lebanese citizens are determined to rebuild their shattered homes and businesses with the hope of bringing their city back to its former glory and the UN, and UNIFIL as a part of the broader UN system, is committed in assisting them in every way possible. UNIFIL Radio has taken a closer look at the port to see how Peacekeepers are providing a firsthand assistance to the Lebanese authorities.
Audio
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202 - Salam from the South - Friends in Need (in English) | 3 Sep 2020
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201 - Salam from the South - Safe Rotation (in English) | 7 Sep 2020
Lieutenant-Colonel Ernest Nanbigne, the head of UNIFIL verification team dealing with the rotation during the COVID-19 crisis, says it was a formidable task to arrange the departure of thousands of peacekeepers who had completed their tour of duty in the south of Lebanon. And no less easy was the task of deploying thousands of new blue helmets in such a manner that would exclude the spread of the deadly virus. Nevertheless, this has been successfully achieved. How? You will know the answers in this episode of “Salam from the South”.
Here is the link to full story in SoundCloud. -
200 - Salam from the South - Finnish Contribution (in Arabic) | 12 Aug 2020
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199 - Salam from the South - Extending a Helping Hand (in Arabic) | 06 Jul 2020
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198 - Salam from the South - Masters of Persuasion (in English) | 03 Jul 2020
All along the Blue Line, almost daily, various activities take place – some of which can be misinterpreted by one or another party… The primary task of Liaison mechanism, established under the aegis of UNIFIL in December 2006, is to prevent and address any misunderstanding or a problem from escalating into a conflict between Lebanon and Israel. Liaison mechanism is not apparently visible but has proven to be extremely important for maintaining calm and stability along the Blue Line. This UNIFIL branch is also the only such entity of the Mission having permanent physical presence on both sides of the Blue Line. UNIFIL Radio has taken a closer look at how the Liaison mechanism works.
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197 - Salam from the South - UNIFIL peacekeepers’ role applauded (in English) | 09 Jun 2020
The International Day of UN Peacekeepers, observed globally on 29 May , offers a chance to pay tribute to the uniformed and civilian personnel’s invaluable contribution to the work of the Organization and to honour more than 3,900 peacekeepers who have lost their lives serving under the UN flag since 1948. Recently, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab visited UNIFIL Headquarters and applauded UNIFIL peacekeepers for the crucial work they have done since 1978.
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196 - Salam from the South - Peacekeeping in the Time of Crisis (in English) | 18 May 2020
Maintaining calm and stability in the UNIFIL area of operations in south Lebanon has always been of paramount importance for the Mission as a whole and for each of the Mission’s 45 contingents. The Spanish battalion is no exception. Even in the current challenging times caused by COVID-19 corona virus pandemic, they are putting a lot of efforts towards this end retaining their operational activities at the same level as before. However, the way they conduct these activities is sometimes different. More about peacekeeping in the times of crisis, UNIFIL Radio has talked to Lieutenant-Colonel Juan Alberto Rios, the Spanish Battalion Commander.
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195 - Salam from the South - Protecting from Covid-19 Scourge (in English) | 05 May 2020
Soon after the outbreak of Corona virus infection, UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col said that “business-as-usual cannot be the norm of the day.” What kind of new normality is being born these days? How the unprecedented situation caused by COVID-19 has affected UNIFIL’s daily life and operational activities? UNIFIL Radio will be talking about it with Craig Goodwin, the head of the UNIFIL Crisis Working Group formed to contain and fight the spread of Corona virus infection.
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194 - Salam from the South - United Against the Virus (in English) | 15 Apr 2020
From the beginning of the current crisis UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col instructed to divert the use of funds from some projects to provide support to the local communities in the common fight against COVID-19 corona virus. Recently such help, comprising masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, other personal protective equipment, and chlorine solution, was given to Marjayoun Caza municipality and Lebanese state institutions operating in the area. Similar donations have been presented to other communities in the South as part of UNIFIL’s broader efforts to assist the local population.
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193 - Salam from the South - SG Appeal for Peace (in English) | 06 Apr 2020
The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war. Echoing the call of the UN chief for global ceasefire in the midst of COVID19 pandemic and in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution 1701, UNIFIL has reiterated its call for Lebanon and Israel to support a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict.
