On August 1st, 2013, UNIFIL's Turkish Battalion held an Iftar banquet at its Battalion headquarters in Sha'aytiyeh in the presence of heads of municipalities, dignitaries of the area, other UNIFIL contingents, and the local population.

"The Iftar aims at enhancing the feelings of integration, solidarity and tolerance during the holy month of Ramadan," said First Lieutenant Kemal Oksuz of the Turkish Battalion. He explained that the food was integrated from both the Turkish and Lebanese cultures.

Ali Sharafeddine, a member of Tyre municipal council said that the Iftar with UNIFIL's Turks has a certain particularity given that the battalion represents a Muslim country. He described the event as a great initiative. "Other UNIFIL battalions also carry out similar activities", Sharafeddine added, "for example UNIFIL's Italians come to Musan Centre [for children with special needs] to make pizza and eat with the children."

"This is a wonderful gathering, and we have a special relationship with UNIFIL," said Daad Ismail from the Centre for Persons with Special Needs in Aita el Shaab.

Also present at the Iftar was UNIFIL's Deputy Force Commander Brigadier General Patrick Phelan, Abdul Mohsen al-Husseini, Head of Tyre Municipalities Union, the Turkish Ambassador to Lebanon Mr. Inan Ozyildiz and representatives from the Lebanese Armed Forces.

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Article: Lara Riman
Video Editor: Suzane Badereddine
Video Camera: Mohamad Hamze
Photo: Pascual Gorriz Marcos

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