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German defense minister offers support to the Lebanese naval forces

Monday, 07 November 2022 6:39 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 07 November 2022 6:39 AM ]

A base for UN peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is pictured in Naqoura, near the Lebanese-Israeli border, southern Lebanon November 11, 2020. (By Reuters)

German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht has announced her country’s readiness to provide support for the Lebanese army in the fields of maritime surveillance and training.

Lambrecht made the announcement on Sunday during her visit to Lebanon to follow up on her country’s maritime force operating with the United Nations Interim force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Lebanon’s National News Agency reported.

“We are committed to strengthening the maritime radar system by providing specialized radar equipment and training to operate the machine, which is equally important to securing patrol boats,” she said.

She added that such steps would enable the Lebanese military to strengthen its security.

UNIFIL was created by the Security Council in March 1978 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in restoring its effective authority in the area.

UNIFIL Maritime Force, comprised of six ships from Germany, Bangladesh, Greece, Indonesia, Turkey, and Brazil was first deployed at the request of Lebanon following the month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.

Its mandate was to assist the Lebanese navy in securing maritime borders and effective security control in Lebanese waters.

Lebanon says Israeli gunboats violate its territorial waters several times

Lebanon says Israeli gunboats have violated the country’s territorial waters four times on Saturday.

In July 2021, former Lebanese President Michel Aoun praised UNIFIL as one of the exemplary and successful missions at the level of peacekeeping operations in the world.

“Beirut desires to extend the mandate of international forces operating in southern Lebanon, without any modifications in their number and role. Despite tensions running high in the region, Lebanon’s southern borders have been enjoying calm and stability since the end of the July 2006 war,” he noted.

During the 33-day war waged by Israel on Lebanon, about 1,200 Lebanese, most of them civilians, lost their lives.

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