United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon 787766 222903612 2008-07-01T17:51:39Z Rjwilmsi 203434 undo - not working as I wanted! The '''United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon''', or '''UNIFIL''', was created by the [[United Nations]], with the adoption of [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]] [[United Nations Security Council Resolution|Resolution]] [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 425|425]] and [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 426|426]] on [[March 19]], [[1978]], to confirm [[Israel]]i withdrawal from [[Lebanon]], restore international peace and security, and help the [[Politics of Lebanon|Government of Lebanon]] restore its effective authority in the area.<ref name = "UNSup5">{{cite web | url = http://untreaty.un.org/cod/repertory/art98/english/rep_supp5_vol5-art98_e.pdf#pagemode=none | title = Extracts relating to Article 98 of the Charter of the United Nations: Supplement No 5 (1970 - 1978) | accessdate = 2006-08-06 | format = PDF | work = Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs | publisher = [[United Nations]] | pages = §275–279 | language = | archiveurl = | archivedate = }} </ref> The first UNIFIL troops were deployed in the area on [[March 23]], [[1978]]; these troops were reassigned from other UN [[peacekeeping]] operations in the area (namely the [[United Nations Emergency Force]] and the [[United Nations Disengagement Observer Force Zone]]).<ref name = "UNSup5" /> During the [[1982 Lebanon War]], UN positions were overrun, primarily by the ''de facto'' forces under [[Saad Haddad]]. These were the indigenous Lebanese forces supported by the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]].<ref name = "UNsup6">{{cite web | url = http://untreaty.un.org/cod/repertory/art98/english/rep_supp6_vol6-art98_e.pdf | title = Extracts relating to Article 98 of the Charter of the United Nations: Supplement No 6 (1979 - 1984) | accessdate = 2006-08-06 | format = PDF | work = Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs | publisher = [[United Nations]] | pages = §185–§199 | language = | archiveurl = | archivedate = }} </ref> During the occupation, UNIFIL's function was mainly to provide humanitarian aid.<ref name = "UNsup6" /> Beginning in 1985, Israel scaled back its permanent positions in Lebanon, although this process was punctuated by brief invasions and bombings, as in [[Operation Accountability]] in 1993 and [[Operation Grapes of Wrath]] in 1996. In 1999, Israel undertook a withdrawal, which concluded in 2000 and enabled UNIFIL to resume its military tasks. The Lebanese government claims that the [[Shebaa farms]] area is Lebanese territory, although the [[Blue Line (Lebanon)|UN considers it to be Syrian territory under Israeli military occupation]]. They contend that this dispute gives continued legal sanction to armed anti-Israeli groups in Lebanon (though the UN has officially certified that Israel has fully withdrawn from all areas it occupied after 1973). The UN Security Council has extended UNIFIL's mandate until [[August 31]], [[2008]].<ref>[http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=23593&Cr=lebanon&Cr1= Security Council extends UN mission in southern Lebanon by a year<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> == Mandate == UNIFIL is tasked with achieving the following objectives: *Confirm the withdrawal of [[Israel]]i forces from southern [[Lebanon]] *Restore international peace and security *Assist the [[Politics of Lebanon|Government of Lebanon]] in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area Mandating resolutions by the [[United Nations]]: *[[January 31]], [[2006]]: [[United Nations Security Council]] [[United Nations Security Council Resolution|Resolution]] 1655<ref>[[United Nations]] [http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8625.doc.htm Security Council extends UN force in Lebanon until 31 July, unanimously adopting Resolution 1655 (2006)] Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[August 12|08-12]]</ref> *[[July 31]], [[2006]]: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1697<ref> [[United Nations]] [http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8793.doc.htm Security Council extends United Nations force in Lebanon, unanimously adopting Resolution 1697 (2006)] Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[August 12|08-12]]</ref> *[[August 11]], [[2006]]: United Nations Security Council Resolution [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701|1701]]<ref>[[United Nations]] [http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/sc8808.doc.htm Security Council calls for end to hostilities between Hizbollah, Israel, unanimously adopting Resolution 1701 (2006)] Retrieved on [[2006]]-[[August 12|08-12]]</ref> ==Post-2006 war operations== UNIFIL is currently deployed in [[Southern Lebanon]] (south of the [[Litani River]]) and primarily along the [[United Nations]]-drawn [[Blue Line (Lebanon)|Blue Line]], which is the border between [[Israel]] and [[Lebanon]]. The force's activities have centered around monitoring military activity between [[Hezbollah]] and the [[Israeli Defense Forces]] with the aim of reducing tensions and allaying tension along the border. UNIFIL has also played an important role in clearing landmines, assisting displaced persons and providing humanitarian assistance to civilians in the underdeveloped region of [[Southern Lebanon]]. Under [[UN Security Council Resolution 1701]], which passed as a result of the [[2006 Lebanon War]], its mandate and rules of engagement changed. The mandate changed to allow up to 15,000 personnel in order to assist the [[Lebanese Armed Forces]] in deploying in [[Southern Lebanon]] to implement the Lebanese government's sovereignty. The rules of engagement changed to allow the troops to open fire in certain cases: mostly in cases of self-defense but also in order to protect civilians, UN personnel and facilities.[http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/PS3oct.pdf] The new resolution states that UNIFIL can “take all the necessary action in areas of deployment of its forces, and as it deems with its capabilities, to ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind.”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,251-2309181,00.html |publisher=[[The Times]] |author=[[James Bone]] and [[Richard Beeston]] |title=After 31 days of fighting, UN votes for plan to bring peace to Lebanon |date=[[2006-08-21]] |accessdate=2008-05-23}}</ref> On [[August 27]], [[2006]], [[United Nations Secretary-General]] [[Kofi Annan]] said that UNIFIL would not intercept arms shipments from [[Syria]], unless requested to do so by Lebanon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1527391/UN-will-not-stop-Syria-sending-weapons-to-Lebanon.html |title=UN will not stop Syria sending weapons to Lebanon |publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |author=Harry De Quetteville and Michael Hirst |date=[[2006-08-27]] |accessdate=2008-05-23}}</ref> ===Maritime Task Force=== After the [[2006 Lebanon War]], the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force (MTF) was established to assist the Lebanese Naval Forces in preventing the smuggling of illegal shipments in general and armament shipments in particular. With its establishment in [[October 2006]], the force was lead by the [[German Navy]] which was also the major contributor to the force.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr065.pdf |title=UNIFIL Maritime Task Force is operational |publisher=UNIFIL |date=[[2006-10-16]] |accessdate=2008-05-24}}</ref> The Germans lead the MTF up until [[February 29]], [[2008]] when they passed control over to [[EUROMARFOR]] - a force made up of ships from [[Portugal]], [[Spain]], [[Italy]] and [[France]] (of which the latter three countries sent vessels to the force in Lebanon).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/en/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2008/080228-UNIFIL.html |title=Germany passes command of UNIFIL maritime components to European Maritime Force |publisher=[[German Foreign Office]] |date=[[2008-02-28]] |accessdate=2008-05-24}}</ref><ref name="euromarfor">{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr109e.pdf |title=UNIFIL Maritime Task Force Changes Command |publisher=UNIFIL |date=[[2008-02-29]] |accessdate=2008-05-24}}</ref> As of [[May 2008]], the German Navy is still the biggest contributor to the UNIFIL MTF sending four vessels. These four vessels are complemented by two [[Italy|Italian]], two [[Greece|Greek]], one [[France|French]], one [[Spain|Spanish]] and one [[Turkey|Turkish]] vessel to comprise the 11-vessel UNIFIL Maritime Task Force.<ref name="euromarfor"/> ===Personnel=== As of [[April 30]], [[2008]], UNIFIL employs 12,341 military personnel, supported by some 307 international civilian and 606 local civilian staff<ref>The civilian staff statistics are only updated as of [[February 29]], [[2008]]</ref> and it is headed by [[Italy|Italian]] Force Commander [[Major-General]] [[Claudio Graziano]].<ref name="facts">{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/facts.html |title=Lebanon - UNIFIL - Facts and Figures |publisher=[[United Nations]]}}</ref> To date UNIFIL has suffered 272 fatalities: 261 troops, two military observers, five international civilian staff, and four local staff.<ref name="facts"/> ===Debate over UNIFIL presence and neutrality=== UNIFIL has fallen out of favour with both [[Israel]] and [[Hezbollah]]. Israel has criticized the force for, amongst other things, maintaining a dialogue with Hezbollah, which it views as a terrorist organization, for treating Israeli and Lebanese (and more specifically, Hezbollah) violations of security council resolution 1701 equally, while Israel views its violations of Lebanese airspace as less severe than Lebanese violations including crossings of the blue line and rocket launchings. UNIFIL was accused of complicity in the fatal [[Israeli Engineering Corps#The October 2000 Lebanon abduction|abduction of IDF soldiers in October 2000]], and Israel further blamed it for obstructing its investigation by denying the existence of and then once the existence was leaked, refusing to supply videos of the attack for several months.<ref>CNN, [[3 August]] [[2001]] [http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/meast/08/03/un.lebanon.report/index.html U.N. report: Kidnapped Israeli soldiers may be dead]</ref><ref>Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (for the period from 21 July 2004 to 20 January 2005) [http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=S/2005/36 Document S/2005/36]</ref> Prior to the [[2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict]] of July 2006, Israel had been lobbying for UNIFIL to either take a more active role vis-a-vis Hezbollah (for example, preventing Hezbollah from stationing near UNIFIL posts to fire at the IDF and into northern Israel) or to step out of the region (thereby voiding the Lebanese government’s excuse for not deploying [[Lebanese Armed Forces]] along the border).<ref>Haaretz [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/objects/pages/PrintArticleEn.jhtml?itemNo=623427 Israel accuses UN of collaborating with Hezbollah] Retrieved [[2006]]-[[October 28|10-28]]</ref> UNIFIL also came under criticism during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict for broadcasting detailed reports of Israeli troop movements on their website which "could have exposed Israeli soldiers to grave danger", while making no such reports about Hezbollah.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/622bqwjn.asp|publisher=Weekly Standard|author=Lori Lowenthal Marcus|title=What did you do in the war, UNIFIL?|date=09/04/2006}}</ref> Hezbollah supporters have accused UNIFIL of siding with Israel, especially since the passage of Resolution 1701 which they view as one-sided. On [[October 16]], [[2006]] [[Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah]] declared that the UN force had “come to protect Israel, not Lebanon”. The participation of Turkish troops in the reinforced UNIFIL in 2006 has also been controversial in Lebanon, where the [[Armenia]]n community has vigorously protested against it. ===Conflict in 2006=== {{see also|Attacks on United Nations personnel during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict}} According to UNIFIL press releases, there have been dozens of such incidents of UN posts coming under fire during the [[2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict]].<ref>United Nations [http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/unifilpress.htm UNIFIL press releases]</ref> In his [[21 July]] [[2006]] report about the UNIFIL activities [[21 January]]-[[18 July]] [[2006]], the UN Secretary-General stated that "Some Hezbollah positions remained in close proximity to United Nations positions, especially in the Hula area, posing a significant security risk to United Nations personnel and equipment."<ref>See paragraph 28 in [http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=S/2006/560 Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (S/2006/560)] Accessed [[31 July]] [[2006]]</ref> ====Combat-related incidents==== *During a day in which Hezbollah opened small arms fire at a UNIFIL convoy, four soldiers from the Ghanaian battalion were lightly injured after an Israeli tank shell hit a UNIFIL position during the fighting in southern Lebanon on [[24 July]] [[2006]].<ref>http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr09.pdf UNIFIL Press Release, Naqoura, [[25 July]] [[2006]]</ref> *Shrapnel from tank shells fired by the IDF seriously wounded an Indian soldier on [[16 July]] [[2006]]<ref>http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr01.pdf UNIFIL Press Release, Naqoura, [[17 July]] [[2006]]</ref> *On [[25 July]] [[2006]] four [[UNTSO]] observers from [[Austria]], [[Canada]], [[China]] and [[Finland]] were killed when an Israeli aerial bomb struck an [[Observer Group Lebanon|OGL]] patrol base near [[Khiam]] in southern Lebanon. According to the UN, the Israelis claimed to be responding to "Hezbollah fire from that vicinity" and the four had taken shelter in a bunker under the post. The area around the site was shelled a total of 14 times by Israeli artillery<ref>UNIFIL [http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr010.pdf Untitled Press Release 26 July 2006]</ref> throughout the day despite warning calls made by UN personnel to the IDF.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1524958/UN-%27urged-Israelis-to-hold-fire-10-times-before-post-was-hit%27.html |author=Tim Butcher |title=UN 'urged Israelis to hold fire 10 times before post was hit' |publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=[[2006-07-27]] |accessdate=2008-05-23}}</ref> Later, a rescue team was also shelled as it tried to clear the rubble.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5215366.stm |publisher=[[BBC News]] |title=Israeli bomb kills UN observers |date=[[2006-07-26]] |accessdate=2008-05-23}}</ref> ==== Reinforcements ==== {{Wikinews|France offers promised 2000 soldiers to the UN in Lebanon}} Following the cease-fire, the UNIFIL will receive vast reinforcement, up to 15 000 men, and heavy equipment. [[France]] is committed to increase her complement from 400 to 2 000 men and send [[Leclerc]] heavy tanks and [[AMX 30 AuF1]] self-propelled artillery [http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0%402-734511,36-807530%4051-796255,0.html], in addition to the forces deployed in [[Opération Baliste]]. [[Italy]] will send 3000 troops.[http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L29199082.htm] [[Qatar]] will send between 200 and 300 troops. [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/09/04/mideast.qatar/index.html] A naval component of UNIFIL is being set up to assist the Lebanese Navy preventing arms proliferation to Hezbollah. This force is under the command of a German admiral with the majority of vessels being provided by the [[German Navy]]. Indonesian contingent has received 12 [[Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé|VAB]](Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé) on February 17 2007, as the part of the second wave of shipment from the agreement between the [[France|French]] and [[Indonesia]]n governments. Amongst the equipments sent with the second wave of VABs are 10 tool boxes (pioneering equipment), 10 armored vehicle radio communications unit, [[Heavy machine gun|HMG]] (Heavy Machine Gun) shooter shield, and 40 water [[jerrycan]]s.[http://www.tniad.mil.id/garuda/lbnranpur.php] ==== Incidents involving Israeli planes ==== On the [[3 October]] [[2006]], an Israeli fighter penetrated the 2-nautical mile defence perimeter of the French frigate ''[[Courbet (F 712)|Courbet]]'', triggering a diplomatic incident. Israel apologised after official protests from the French government [http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0%402-3218,36-828946%4051-759824,0.html] [http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/article_1214938.php/No_aggression_intended_Israel_says_after_German_ship_incident]. On [[24 October]], six [[IAF|Israeli]] [[F-16]]'s flew over a [[Germany|German]] vessel patrolling off Israel's coast just south of the Lebanese border. The German Defence Ministry said that the planes had given off infrared decoys and one of the aircraft had fired two shots into the air, which had not been specifically aimed. The Israeli military said that a German helicopter took off from the vessel without having coordinated this with Israel, and denied vehemently having fired any shots at the vessel and said "as of now" it also had no knowledge of the jets launching flares over it. Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz telephoned his German counterpart [[Franz Josef Jung]] to clarify that 'Israel has no intention to carry out any aggressive actions' against the German peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, who are there as part of [[UNIFIL]] to enforce an arms embargo against Hezbollah. Germany confirmed the consultations, and that both sides were interested in maintaining good cooperation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.teluguportal.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=18958|title=Germany, Israel confirm naval vessel-planes incident|date=[[2006]][[28 October]]|publisher=Telugu Portal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/article_1214671.php/Germany_Israel_confirm_naval_vessel-planes_incident|title=Germany, Israel confirm naval vessel-planes incident|date=[[2006]][[28 October]]|publisher=Middle East News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/ba4623e8cf1e387d/|title=Israel denies firing shots at German ship|date=[[2006]][[28 October]]|publisher=[[Ynetnews]]}}</ref> On [[31 October]] [[2006]], eight Israeli [[F-15]]s flew over many areas of Lebanon, including Beirut.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6101448.stm Israeli jets fly low over Beirut], ''[[BBC]]''</ref><ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061031/ts_nm/mideast_lebanon_planes_dc Israeli warplanes fly low over Beirut, suburbs], ''Reuters''</ref> The [[Israeli Air Force|IAF]] jets also flew over a French peacekeeper position in Lebanon. According to the [[Minister of Defence (France)|French Defense Minister]] [[Michele Alliot-Marie]], the planes came in at what was interpreted as an attack formation, and the peacekeepers were "seconds away" from firing at the jets.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/785914.html IDF checking French claim its UN troops almost fired at IAF jets], ''AP'' in ''Haaretz''</ref> ===Post-conflict situation=== On [[24 June]] [[2007]], six UNIFIL soldiers (three [[Colombia]]ns and three [[Spain|Spaniards]]) were killed after their vehicle was hit by an explosive device; two others (both Spanish) were injured in the incident.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6235224.stm Lebanon blast kills UN soldiers]</ref> No group has yet admitted responsibility. The Israeli military believed the attack to be the work of [[al-Qaeda]]/[[Global Jihad]] members.<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=1&cid=1182409630495&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Al-Qaida suspected in attack that killed 5 UNIFIL troops]</ref> On [[January 8]], [[2008]] a roadside bomb injured two Irish UNIFIL soldiers 35km south of Beirut.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidDS170308_dsart4/SecMain/pagHomepage/chnAll%20Regional%20News/obj2A17E941-F5E0-11D4-867D00D0B74A0D7C/ |title=Indonesia to dispatch 90 military police to join countrymen in UNIFIL |author=Mohammed Zaatari |publisher=[[The Daily Star (Lebanon)]] |date=[[2008-03-17]] |accessdate=2008-04-05}}</ref> On [[March 30]], [[2008]] the UNIFIL patrol, following a suspicious pickup truck that was towing a trailer in the western sector of UNIFIL's area of operations, was blocked by two other vehicles with five armed persons. According to the UNIFIL spokeswoman Yasmina Bouzianne, the patrol challenged the armed people who left the area after about three minutes before a positive identification could be made.<ref>The Daily Star[http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=91396 UNIFIL confirms incident with gunmen] accessed April 24, 2008</ref> ==Countries involved== The following countries have either committed troops, are currently active in UNIFIL, or have offered support to UNIFIL in some way. Countries in bold were part of the original UNIFIL force. {| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center" class="wikitable" ! style="background:#B0C4DE; color:black"| Country !!style="background:#B0C4DE; color:black"| Committed Forces (estimated*) !!style="background:#B0C4DE; color:blck"| Support Roles |- |{{flagcountry|Belgium}} |394<ref name = "C" /><ref name="L">Expatica Communications <u>Two Belgian generals to serve on Lebanon mission</u>[http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=48&story_id=32677] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> |[[Demining|de-miners]], medical and reconstruction teams<ref name = "L" /> |- |{{flagcountry|Brunei}} |100<ref>Brudirect.com News [http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Aug06/250806/nite01_1.htm Brunei Troops To Join Malaysia In Lebanon] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref>Daily Express [http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=44009 Accord on Trans-Borneo Highway] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> | |- |{{flagcountry|Bulgaria}} |160<ref>Naharnet [http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/newsdesk.nsf/Lebanon/1072DE30D8A4DE01C22571F90025BC64?OpenDocument Bulgaria Approves Sending 160-Crew Frigate to Lebanon] Accessed September 30, 2006</ref> | |- |{{flagicon|China}}'''[[People’s Republic of China|China, People’s Republic of]]''' |1,000<ref>MonstersandCritics.com [http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/article_1201023.php/Lebanon_latest_hotspot_as_China_deploys_peacekeepers Lebanon latest hotspot as China deploys peacekeepers] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref name="H">Haaretz [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/761372.html China to send as many as 1,000 peackeeping troops to Lebanon] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> |200 engineers currently in Lebanon clearing mines and unexploded ordnance<ref name ="H"/> |- |{{flagcountry|Denmark}} |50<ref name = "C" /><ref>Danish Navy [http://forsvaret.dk/SOK/Nyt+og+Presse/2006-09-21libanon.htm 2 missilfartøjer men ingen korvet til Libanon] Accessed October 2, 2006</ref> |2 patrol boats as [[Royal Danish Navy|force protection]] for German contingent |- |{{flagcountry|Finland}} |250<ref name = "C" /><ref>Helsingin Sanomat [http://www.hs.fi/english/article/President+approves+Lebanon+force/1135221561490 President approves Lebanon force] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> |reconstructing roads, bridges and other infrastructure destroyed<ref name="F">Herald Tribune [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/14/europe/EU_GEN_Ireland_UN_Lebanon.php Ireland to deploy 150 troops to United Nations force in Lebanon] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> |- |{{flagicon|France}} '''[[France]]''' |2,000<ref name="A">EiTB24 [http://www.eitb24.com/portal/eitb24/noticia/en/international-news/truce-in-lebanon-italian-troops-land-in-lebanon-strengthening-ren?itemId=B24_7445&cl=%2Feitb24%2Finternacional&idioma=en Italian troops land in Lebanon strengthening renewed UNIFIL] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref name="B">FrontPageMagazine.com [http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=24358 Making the Ceasefire Stick] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> |ground troops including 13 French [[Leclerc]] tanks;<ref>Associated Press [http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/world/15500276.htm French Tanks Give Teeth to U.N. Force] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> in charge of UNIFIL ground forces until February 2007.<ref>Forbes [http://www.opendemocracy.net/conflict-middle_east_politics/france_hesitation_3862.jsp France in Lebanon: the strength of hesitation] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> <br/>In addition, [[French Navy]] ships with 1,700 men are deployed off Lebanon in [[Opération Baliste]], and assisting in UNIFIL operations. |- |{{flagcountry|Germany}} |2,400<ref name = "G">MonstersandCritics.com [http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/article_1201145.php/Germany_sends_troops_to_Lebanon Germany sends troops to Lebanon] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref name="E">China Daily [http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2006-09/14/content_688778.htm Germany oks Lebanon mission] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> |[[German Navy|naval ships]] to secure the Lebanese coast and prevent arms smuggling<ref name = "G" /><ref name = "E" /> |- |{{flagicon|Ghana}} '''[[Ghana]]''' |650<ref name = "D" /> | |- |{{flagcountry|Greece}} |176-196 |[[Elli class frigate|''Elli''-class]] [[frigate]], the HS ''Kanaris'', to patrol against arms smugglers<ref name=kathimerini-09-09>{{cite news|title=Greece begins its peacekeeping drive in Lebanon: Frigate has orders to fire if need be|date=[[2006-09-09]]|publisher=[[Kathimerini]]|url:http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100004_09/09/2006_74016}}</ref> |- |{{flagicon|India}} '''[[India]]''' |672<ref>IndianMuslims.info [http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2006/august/29/muslim_world_news/india_to_keep_existing_troops_in_unifil_for_time_being.html India to keep existing troops in UNIFIL for 'time being'] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref name="D">Raw Story Media, Inc. [http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/UN_opens_meeting_on_Lebanon_troops_0820.html UN opens meeting on Lebanon troops] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> | |- |{{flagcountry|Indonesia}} |1,000<ref name="I">Raw Story Media, Inc. [http://rawstory.com/news/2006/Indonesian_soldiers_off_to_Lebanon__09122006.html Indonesian soldiers off to Lebanon in late September] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref>Helsingin Sanomat [http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Indonesian+leader+praises+Finns+for+contribution+to+Aceh+peace+process/1135221609182 Indonesian leader praises Finns for contribution to Aceh peace process] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> |combat units, an engineering unit and logistics specialists<ref name = "I" /> |- |{{flagicon|Ireland}} '''[[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]''' |150<ref name = "F" /><ref>The Irish Times [http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/front/2006/0914/1158001548053.html 150 Irish troops to join UN interim force in Lebanon] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> |perimeter protection for Finnish troops<ref name = "F" /> |- |{{flagicon|Italy}} '''[[Italy]]''' |2,500<ref>Italian Army[http://www.esercito.difesa.it/root/attivita/mix_unifil_leonte.asp] Accessed April 3, 2007</ref> |ground troops; assumed charge of UNIFIL ground forces in February 2007<ref>ANSA [http://ansa.it/main/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2006-09-06_1069114.html Peacekeepers need political support] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> |- |{{flagcountry|South Korea}} |350<ref name="ko_1">{{cite news| last=Jung| first=Sung-ki| title=Peacekeeping Unit for Lebanon Created| work=Korea Times| publisher=Korea Times| date=June 21, 2007| url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=5215&categoryCode=116| accessdate=August 31|accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref name="ko_2">{{cite news| title=South Korean troops arrive in Lebanon to join UN peacekeepers| work=The Associated Press| publisher=Haaretz, Israel News| date=July 19, 2007| url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/884003.html| accessdate=August 31|accessyear=2007}}</ref> | Infantry units and medical team. Security task in [[Tyre, Lebanon|Tyre]] area and associated supply mission.<ref name="ko_3">[http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/news_view.asp?newsIdx=3112629 Korea Picks Site for Military Camp in Lebanon], Korea Times. ''Korea Times'', [[April 6]], [[2007]], Retrieved on [[August 31]], [[2007]].</ref> Medical aid for local people. |- |{{flagcountry|Malaysia}} |360<ref>Bernama.com[http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=220972]</ref><ref>Malaysia's Prime Minister's Office[http://www.pmo.gov.my/website/webdb.nsf/vALLDOC/55159D08B011BA4A482571EF0033C22E]</ref> |Administrative(200) and patrol/quick reaction team (160; including commandos and special forces); |- |{{flagcountry|Nepal}} |850<ref name="J">Islamic Republic News Agency [http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-239/0608306505191046.htm Nepal to send 850 troops to war torn Lebanon] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref name="K">PeaceJournalism.com [http://peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=10567 Annan Ends his Visit to Beirut after Touring War-Ravaged South Lebanon] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> |infantry battalion<ref name = "J" /><ref name = "K" /> |- |{{flagcountry|Netherlands}} |150<ref name="M">Netherlands Ministry of Defence [http://www.mindef.nl/actueel/nieuws/2006/09/20060922_libanon.aspx NEDERLANDS MARINESCHIP NAAR LIBANON] Accessed October 2, 2006</ref> |1 [[Karel Doorman class frigate]]<ref name = "M" /> |- |{{flagicon|Norway}} '''[[Norway]]''' |100<ref name="M">Herald Tribune [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/05/europe/EU_GEN_Norway_Lebanon.php Norway to send four ships, crew to U.N. peacekeeping force for Lebanon] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref>[http://www.mil.no/languages/english/start/article.jhtml?articleID=125649/ Sending MTBs] Accessed October 2, 2006</ref> | [[Royal Norwegian Navy|naval ships]] to secure the Lebanese coast and prevent arms smuggling<ref name = "M" /> |- |{{flagicon|Poland}} '''[[Poland]]''' |500<ref>Raw Story Media, Inc. [http://rawstory.com/news/2006/Poland_to_boost_Lebanon_UNIFIL_forc_08252006.html Poland to boost Lebanon UNIFIL force to 500 troops] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref name="C">Asian Tribune [http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/1775 U.N. Force Looks More European, Less Multinational] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> | |- |{{flagcountry|Portugal}} |140<ref>Naharnet [http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/D2BDB5141B6FA67FC2257215003559D4?OpenDocument Portuguese UNIFIL Troops to Head to Lebanon Next Week] Accessed [[October 28]], [[2006]]</ref> |engineering unit |- |{{flagcountry|Russia}} |400<ref name = "E" /><ref>Syrian Arab News Agency [http://www.sana.org/eng/22/2006/09/13/66433.htm Russia Sends 1200 Soldiers to Lebanon] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> |rebuilding infrastructure<ref name = "E" /> |- |{{flagcountry|Slovakia}} |6 |medical team |- |{{flagcountry|Slovenia}} |14 |3 Staff Officers, 8 men strong Recon element, 3 men strong Logistical element (as of November 2007) |- |{{flagcountry|Spain}} |1,000<ref name = "A" /><ref>People's Daily Online [http://english.people.com.cn/200609/13/eng20060913_302393.html Spanish troops hope to help speed up Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> |de-mining and beach cleaning<ref>Daily Star [http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=75427 Western envoys discuss deployments to UNIFIL] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> |- |{{flagcountry|Sweden}} |40<ref name = "C" /><ref>Swedish armed forces [http://www.mil.se/index.php?lang=S&c=news&id=33973 HMS Gävle på väg søderut] Accessed October 2, 2006</ref> |1 [[Göteborg class corvette]] |- |{{flagcountry|Turkey}} |495<ref name = "TW" >Turkish Weekly [http://www.turkishweekly.net/news.php?id=40268 The Turkish UNIFIL Troops Set off for Lebanon] Accessed November 9, 2006</ref> |engineering unit to help rebuild damaged bridges and roads; Turkish naval frigate patrolling off the Lebanese coast<ref name = "TW" />see also http://www.turkishembassy.org.lb/turkliban/turkliban.htm |- |{{flagicon|Ukraine}} '''[[Ukraine]]''' |1<ref name = "D" /> | |- !align="left" style="background:#B0C4DE; color:black"| Total | style="background:#B0C4DE; color:black"|'''13,817''' || style="background:#B0C4DE; color:black"| |} <font size=1>* Because the troop figures come from second hand sources, the exact numbers can not be accurately verified. In most cases the sources round and/or estimate the figures to the closet proximity.</font> == UNIFIL leadership == === Personal representatives of the Secretary-General for Southern Lebanon === {| class="wikitable" ! Start Date ! End Date ! Name ! Country |- | March 1978 | {{dunno}} | [[Jean Cuq]] | [[France]] |- | 2000 | [[January 15]] [[2001]] | [[Rolf Goran Knutsson]] | [[Sweden]] |- | [[January 15]] [[2001]] | April 2005 | [[Staffan de Mistura]] | [[Sweden]] |- | April 2005 | ''Present'' | [[Geir Pedersen]] | [[Norway]] |} === Commanders of the force === {| class="wikitable" ! Start Date ! End Date ! Name ! Country |- | March 1978 | February 1981 | [[Emmanuel A. Erskine]] | [[Ghana]] |- | February 1981 | May 1986 | [[William Callaghan]] | [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] |- | June 1986 | June 1988 | [[Gustav Hägglund]] | [[Finland]] |- | July 1988 | February 1993 | [[Lars-Eric Wahlgren]] | [[Sweden]] |- | February 1993 | February 1995 | [[Trond Furuhovde]] | [[Norway]] |- | April 1995 | [[October 1]] [[1997]] | [[Stanislaw Franciszek Wozniak]] | [[Poland]] |- | February 1997 | September 1999 | [[George Konrote|Jioje Konousi Koronte]] | [[Fiji]] |- | [[September 30]] [[1999]] | [[December 1]] [[1999]] | [[James Sreenan]] | [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] |- | [[November 16]] [[1999]] | [[May 15]] [[2001]] | [[Seth Obeng|Seth Kofi Obeng]] | [[Ghana]] |- | [[May 15]] | [[August 17]] [[2001]] | [[Ganesan Athmanathan]] | [[India]] |- | [[August 17]] [[2001]] | [[February 17]] [[2004]] | [[Lalit Mohan Tewari]] | [[India]] |- | [[February 17]] [[2004]] | [[February 2]] [[2007]] | [[Alain Pellegrini]] | [[France]] |- | [[February 2]] [[2007]] | ''Present'' | [[Claudio Graziano]] | [[Italy]] |} === Commanders of the Maritime Task Force === {| class="wikitable" ! Start Date ! End Date ! Name ! Country |- | September 2006 | [[October 16]] [[2006]] | [[Giuseppe De Giorgi]] | [[Italy]] |- | [[October 16]] [[2006]] | March 2007 | [[Andreas Krause]] | [[Germany]] |- | March 2007 | September 2007 | [[Karl-Wilhelm Bollow]] | [[Germany]] |- | September 2007 | February 2008 | [[Christian Luther]] | [[Germany]] |- | February 2008 | ''Present'' | [[Ruggiero di Biase]] | [[Italy]] |} == Quotes == *"UNIFIL, I'm afraid, is a joke. They’ve been there for 26 years and since then, there have been so many skirmishes [along the border]." - former Israeli ambassador [[Itamar Rabinovich]], [[20 July]] [[2006]]<ref>NPR.org [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5567793 Mass Exodus Continues as Lebanon Seeks Aid]</ref> *"We didn’t like very much UNIFIL which was very useless and very helpless. Look what happened. Did you hear of any particular efforts of the United Nations UNIFIL force in the south of Lebanon to prevent the attacks against Israel in the first place. So they were not useful and that is why we were unhappy with them." Israeli Prime Minister [[Ehud Olmert]], [[August 2]], [[2006]]<ref>Times Online (UK) [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2296832,00.html The Times interview with Ehud Olmert: full transcript] Accessed August 3, 2006</ref> *" UNIFIL came here in 1978. We were, because at that time there was no Hezbollah here, accused of being sympathetic to Palestinians. A peacekeeping force does not come here with pre-set enemies. There is no enemy [inaudible] in a peacekeeping force. UNIFIL is a peacekeeping force. It's not an Israeli combat force or an anti-terror force, as they would like it to be. As long as we don't serve their direct interests, they are going to denigrate it as much as they can." Timur Goksel, former spokesman of the UNIFIL, [[July 26]], [[2006]]<ref>[[Democracy Now!]], [http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/07/26/147212 ''Kofi Annan Says Israel's Fatal Attack on UN Force in Lebanon was "Apparently Deliberate"; Longtime UN Official Says Israel Knew Site Was UN Base'']</ref> == Notes == {{reflist|3}} ==See also == * Bregman, Ahron (2002). ''Israel's Wars: A History Since 1947''. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-28716-2 * [[Operation Litani]] * [[Lebanese Civil War]] * [[South Lebanon conflict]] * [[2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict]] * [[1996 shelling of Qana]] ==Sources== *GlobalSecurity.org [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/lebanon.htm Lebanon] == External links == {{commonscat|UNIFIL}} *[http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/mandate.html UNIFIL - UN official mandate] *[http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/dpko/unifil.pdf UNIFIL Deployment Map] [[Category:History of Lebanon]] [[Category:Israel-Lebanon conflict]] [[Category:United Nations operations in the Middle East|Lebanon]] [[Category:United Nations Security Council mandates|425]] [[Category:20th century in Lebanon]] [[Category:21st century in Lebanon]] [[ar:قوات أممية لحفظ السلام بلبنان]] [[bg:UNIFIL]] [[de:United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon]] [[es:Fuerza Provisional de las Naciones Unidas para el Líbano]] [[fa:یونیفل]] [[fr:Force intérimaire des Nations unies au Liban]] [[gl:Forza Provisional das Nacións Unidas en Líbano]] [[it:UNIFIL]] [[he:יוניפי"ל]] [[nl:United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon]] [[ja:国際連合レバノン暫定駐留軍]] [[no:UNIFIL]] [[pl:UNIFIL]] [[pt:UNIFIL]] [[fi:UNIFIL]]