UNIFIL Deputy Force Commander Major General Shivaram Kharel this week visited the peacekeeping mission’s Maritime Task Force (MTF) ships in Limassoul, Cyprus.

During his visit to the MTF Greek ship “HS NIKIFOROS FOKAS” on 31 March, he received briefing on MTF’s operational activities from the German Commander, Torsten Eidam, and did a tour of the German Camp Castle. On 2 April, he visited the German ship “FGS OLDENBURG,” where he received briefing from Commander Stephan Lukaszyk.

UNIFIL MTF's six ships, which are stationed off Lebanese coasts, also visit supporting stations like the German Camp Castle in Limassoul as well as in Mersin, Turkey. Its 770 personnel come from Bangladesh, Brazil, Germany, Greece, Indonesia and Turkey.

Established in October 2006 at the request of the Government of Lebanon, UNIFIL MTF supports the Lebanese Navy in preventing the unauthorized entry of arms or related materiel by sea into Lebanon. Its mission also focuses on assisting Lebanon raise its own naval forces to control and protect Lebanon's seaways and territorial waters.

Photos by MTF DEU Public Affairs Officer / UNIFIL