On Friday, 7 January 2011, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) carried out a combined live firing exercise.

The exercise was conducted by the Field Artillery Battle Group of the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) of UNIFIL with the LAF.

The exercise, named "Neptune Thunder", was held 1 km south of UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon.

This combined exercise is directed at improving the skills and expertise of the battle groups, to maintain their efficiency and mutual knowledge. During the exercise, the battle group fired several rounds of artillery at targets located off the coastline.

Limiting any potential disturbance to the local population is a priority in planning the exercise. To this end, the targets were located at sea in order to limit noise to any inhabited area.
The safety at sea was provided by Lebanese Navy ships supported by UNIFIL Maritime Task Force.

***

For further information, please contact the UNIFIL Public Information Office:
Deputy Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti: +961 1 827 068; +961 70910064 (cell); email: tenenti@un.org
Fax: +961 1 827 016

View the UNIFIL website: http://unifil.unmissions.org