New OGL commander takes charge

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18 Feb 2019

New OGL commander takes charge

An Australian military officer has taken charge of the Observer Group Lebanon (OGL), which is a part of the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) and works in Lebanon under UNIFIL’s overall operational control. 

During a transfer of authority ceremony held in the UNIFIL Headquarters on 15 February, Lieutenant Colonel Noel Young took over from Lieutenant Colonel Ramkaji Thapa of Nepal for a one-year tour of duty.

OGL observers support UNIFIL in maintaining the stability and calm in the Mission’s 1,060 square kilometre area of operation in south Lebanon, with a particular operational focus on the Blue Line. OGL currently has 56 military officers from 22 countries. 

Operating under the overall leadership of UNTSO, their counterparts are also present in Israel and the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights. A group of observers remains in Sinai to maintain a UN presence in the peninsula.

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col, UNTSO Head of Mission Major General Christine Lund, UNIFIL Deputy Head of Mission Imran Riza, UNIFIL Deputy Force Commander Major General Shivaram Kharel and Lebanese Army South Litani Sector Commander Brigadier General Robert Al-Alam were among the dignitaries present in the 15 February changeover ceremony.