UNIFIL
United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon

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UNIFIL and its troop-contributing countries are proud to support projects that help local people and communities – projects in health care (including COVID-19 prevention), education, the environment, food security, agriculture, and more. The Austrian contingent’s strong support for the Mosan Center for children with special needs is but one example of the close relationships UNIFIL peacekeepers have with the local community.

Patrolling is one of the most important activities that peacekeepers perform. Patrols allow peacekeepers to monitor the cessation of hostilities, and take note of any suspicious or unusual activity, to immediately inform Lebanese Armed Forces colleagues for action.

The first United Nations naval peacekeeping force in history, UNIFIL’s MTF supports the Lebanese Navy in monitoring Lebanese territorial waters, securing the Lebanese coast, and preventing the unauthorized entry of arms or related materiel into Lebanon by sea. The MTF’s mission also focuses on training the Lebanese Navy so in the future it can fully perform the maritime security tasks currently supported by UNIFIL’s naval peacekeepers.

Through the adoption of resolution 2591 renewing UNIFIL’s mandate in August 2021, the United Nations Security Council noted Lebanon’s unprecedented socio-economic and humanitarian crises. In that context, the 15-member Council requested UNIFIL to take “temporary and special measures” to support the Lebanese Army with essential items like medicine, fuel, food, and other logistics.

Lebanon and Israel don’t talk to each other directly, so UNIFIL acts as a mediator. UNIFIL’s Liaison Branch is part of this mechanism. With the conflicting parties – Lebanon and Israel – still technically in a state of war, when tensions are high any violation of the Blue Line, any inadvertent movement in the area, or any imprudent remark may cause an eruption of violence. Only an enduring UNIFIL presence all along the Blue Line can ensure that…

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UNIFIL supports recovery in south Lebanon, including upgrades at Rishknaniyah School, where Force Commander Major General Abagnara met students and teachers. The episode also highlights Spanish, Indian, and Indonesian peacekeepers’ community projects.

As tensions persist in south Lebanon, UNIFIL Deputy Spokesperson warns of the risks posed by ongoing violations of Resolution 1701. Deputy Head of mission shares insights from the meeting with the Lebanese President, and Head of LAF CIMIC, highlights growing LAF-UNIFL cooperation.

This episode highlights UNIFIL’s humanitarian support since the September 2024 escalation, with details from Civil Affairs Officer, Maud Ropars. It also features recent medical, educational, and cultural activities by peacekeepers across south Lebanon.

UNIFIL Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti explains the difference between UNIFIL’s role and the Implementation Mechanism established after the cessation of hostilities, addresses Israeli violations of Resolution 1701, and discusses UNIFIL’s support for the Lebanese Army in their redeployment.

In this episode of News from UNIFIL, Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti highlights the mission’s role in supporting the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 while clarifying that Lebanon and Israel hold the responsibility for its fulfillment. The episode also features humanitarian aid from Irish-Polish, Ghanaian, and Malaysian contingents, as well as skill-building workshops led by peacekeepers from Republic of Korea to empower local women.

<p style="text-align:start"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#212121"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"><span style="line-height:1.2">In “News from UNIFIL #12”, UNIFIL Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti reaffirms the mission’s commitment to supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces in their redeployment and ensuring south Lebanon is free of unauthorized weapons. The episode highlights UNIFIL’s recent efforts, including clearing roadblocks, assisting displaced civilians, and other humanitarian support.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

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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.

Here is the link to full story in SoundCloud.

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.

Here is the link to full story in SoundCloud.

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