Through extensive training activities both at sea and in classrooms, UNIFIL peacekeepers from the mission’s Maritime Task Force (MTF) continue to prepare Lebanese Armed Forces Navy (LAF-N) for taking on maritime security responsibilities.
The basis for UNIFIL’s ongoing and accelerated cooperation with LAF-N is a joint operational framework signed last December, which envisions the Navy assuming greater responsibility for securing Lebanese territorial waters throughout 2026.
“Accordingly, the LAF Navy is gradually achieving improved operational readiness of its personnel,” said UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara. “A long-term stability on land is intrinsically linked to security at sea.”
He added that enhanced coordination and mutual understanding as well as increased confidence in joint maritime operations are fundamental to achieving maritime security goals.
The UNIFIL-MTF, which has been deployed since October 2006 in direct connection with Security Council Resolution 1701 at the request of the Lebanese government, supports the LAF-Navy in monitoring Lebanese territorial waters, securing the Lebanese coast, and preventing the unauthorized import of weapons or related material into Lebanon by sea. Another important aspect of the MTF's mission is to provide support and training for the development of Lebanon's naval forces so that they can effectively patrol the 110 nautical miles of Lebanese coastline.
