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UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Aroldo Lazaro paid tribute to the bravery and commitment of those served and serving peace at the ceremony held at the Naqoura headquarters on occasion of the International Peacekeepers Day. He added the strong relationship with the Lebanese Armed Forces has proven critical to maintaining calm and stability in our area of operations and along the Blue Line.
UNIFIL supports the community and Lebanese governmental institutions, especially during the unprecedented economic crisis the country is facing. Recently, the Lebanese Civil Defense regional training center for the Nabatieh governorate was inaugurated in Bourj Al Mulouk village. Its construction was funded by UNIFIL, but the project was actually the result of joint efforts by many participants. Here is the link to full story in SoundCloud
Past military conflicts have left south Lebanon with many unexploded mines, bombs, and other ordinances. Lands around Meis El Jabal village close to the Blue Line were especially heavily affected. The situation has been drastically changed since UNIFIL Cambodian de-miners went there in May 2021. They helped to put abandoned agricultural fields into use again to the benefit of the local farmers.
The demand for solar power projects has increased rapidly in the last two years due to the economic crisis in Lebanon. Recently, UNIFIL’s Finnish contingent in cooperation with the municipality of Bani Hayan village implemented a solar project that provides the municipal building with 25 amperes of green energy
Sergeant Major Stan Hurley from UNIFIL’s Irish contingent first came to Lebanon in 1983. Since then, he has served as a peacekeeper in many other places, but over the years he kept returning to Lebanon. This current and final tour of duty is his 10th tour in Lebanon out of 18 overseas tours of duty in his long military career.
UNIFIL’s Nepalese peacekeepers, in cooperation with the local authorities, funded a major agricultural and public garden project in the village of Blida. The project, built in an open field close to the Blue Line, comprises rainwater ponds and recreational area. This project will irrigate nearby fields while also serving as a community meeting hub. It will benefit thousands of Blida residents.
Women have made enormous contributions in peacekeeping. Among UNIFIL’s 10,000 soldiers there are many women in uniform leading patrols, working with local communities, removing landmines, and providing medical care, among other roles. This Radio story is about two female peacekeepers performing some of the most challenging duties in south Lebanon.
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<p>UNIFIL Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Jean-Pierre Fagué says he is very proud of the work of UNIFIL peacekeepers in the Beirut Port and surrounding areas, carried out within a special and temporary deployment. He was speaking with UNIFIL Radio at the peak of their mission in support of Lebanese efforts in the wake of the tragic 4 August explosions that lasted from 27 September to 23 October 2020. They removed debris in the port and cleared streets and protected some historical sites in the downtown. Their deployment, as Gen. Fagué stressed out, is a demonstration of solidarity with Lebanon and its people in the aftermath of the devastating explosions.</p>
<p><b><i><a href="https://soundcloud.com/unifilradio/salam-from-the-south-demonstrating-s…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Here is the link to full story in SoundCloud.</a></i></b></p>
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<p>Summing up a search and rescue operation carried out on 14 September 2020, UNIFIL Maritime Task Force Commander, Rear Admiral Sergio Salgueirinho, says that in total the lives of 36 individuals were saved. Unfortunately, there was also another person who was not that lucky. It was a long day full of drama and self-sacrificing rescue efforts. It was not for the first time UNIFIL Maritime Task Force, deployed in 2006 at the request of the Lebanese Government, has been involved in such an operation.<br><b><i><a href="https://soundcloud.com/unifilradio/rescue-at-sea" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Here is the link to full story in SoundCloud.</a></i></b></p>
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<p>UNIFIL Ghanian Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Atuluk Abbas, talks about monitoring the Blue Line or rather a part of it passing through the battalion’s area of responsibility. Despite the crisis triggered by the Coronavirus, Ghanaian peacekeepers conduct dozens of patrols daily in the southern extremes of Lebanon to maintain peace and calm in the region.</p>
<p><b><i><a href="https://soundcloud.com/unifilradio/salam-from-the-south-ghanian-peaceke… is the link to full story in SoundCloud.</a></i></b></p>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As the<b> </b>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. </span></span></p>
<p><b><i><a href="https://soundcloud.com/unifilradio/friends-in-need" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Here is the link to full story in SoundCloud.</a></i></b></p>
<p>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”.<br><a href="https://soundcloud.com/unifilradio/safe-rotations-eng"><small><b><i>Here is the link to full story in SoundCloud.</i></b></small></a></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><small><b><i><a href="https://soundcloud.com/unifilradio/masters-of-persuasion-in-english?in=…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Here is the link to full story in SoundCloud.</a></i></b></small></p>
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In three different incidents in May 2021, rockets were launched from Lebanese territory towards Israel, threatening the relative calm and stability that the area has enjoyed since 2006. UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force…
There are about 120,000 peacekeepers deployed in conflict zones worldwide. Almost 10 percent of them are in south Lebanon. With their dedication and determination, they are building a peaceful environment in the area…
Liaison Branch is part of UNIFIL Liaison and Coordination Mechanism. Its Officers act as the custodians of the Blue Line and as a bridge between the two parties. With officers from 19 different countries, the Liaison Branch…
Continuing UNIFIL’s efforts in helping and ensuring the full and effective participation of women in society, Sector East Civil Affairs office conducted a 15-day training for 24 female participants. The aim was to teach local…
Radar, used to detect and track ships at sea, is an important security tool for countries with extensive maritime borders, like Lebanon.
Commander Thorsten Diekmann, a senior officer in UNIFIL’s Maritime Task Force, says that Lebanese coastal radar will soon be able to see further and survey the country’s territorial waters better, thanks to an agreement between Germany and Lebanon. UNIFIL has an important part to play in the project, through training of Lebanese radar operators.
April 4 of every year is International Mine Awareness Day. Since 2006, UNIFIL has cleared around 4,700,000 square metres of land in south Lebanon and destroyed 43,500 mines, bombs, and unexploded ordnances. This painstaking…
One of UNIFIL’s priorities is helping to ensure the full, effective, and meaningful participation of women in society. Recently, UNIFIL helped refurbish a vocational training room in Tyre, south Lebanon, where women learn…
After almost a decade-long service with UNIFIL’s Maritime Task Force, assisting Lebanese Navy in securing the country’s vast territorial waters, Brazilian peacekeepers have concluded their mission in Lebanon. The Brazilian MTF flagship, Frigate BRS Independência left Beirut Harbour on 02 December 2020. UNIFIL radio interviewed the outgoing MTF commander, Rear Admiral Sérgio Salgueirinho, who handed over the command to Rear Admiral Axel Schulz of Germany on 15 January 2021.
The head of UNIFIL Civil Affairs, Albagir Adam, says the Mission’s activities aiming at supporting local communities have become even more important in the wake of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. To this end, Mr. Adam adds…