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EspañolUNITED NATIONS INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON
(Redirected from United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon)
The 'United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon', or 'UNIFIL', was created by the United Nations, with the adoption of Security Council Resolution 425 and 426 on March 19, 1978, to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and help the Government of Lebanon restore its effective authority in the area. Extracts relating to Article 98 of the Charter of the United Nations: Supplement No 5 (1970 - 1978)
The first UNIFIL troops arrived 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).
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 IDF. Extracts relating to Article 98 of the Charter of the United Nations: Supplement No 6 (1979 - 1984)
During the occupation, UNIFIL's function was mainly to provide humanitarian aid. 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 full 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 UN considers it to be outside Lebanon's border. 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legal sanction to armed anti-Israeli groups in Lebanon (though the UN has officially certified that Israel has fully withdrawn from all areas it occupied after 1973).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.[1]
UNIFIL is tasked with achieving the following objectives:
★ Confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon
★ Restore international peace and security
★ Assist the 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 Resolution 1655[2]
★ July 31, 2006: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1697[3]
★ August 11, 2006: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701[4]
UNIFIL is currently primarily deployed along the United Nations-drawn Blue Line dividing Israel (and the disputed Golan Heights) and southern Lebanon. Its activities have centred around monitoring military activity between Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) with the aim of reducing tensions and allaying continuing low-level armed conflict. UNIFIL has also played an important rôle in clearing landmines, assisting displaced persons, and providing humanitarian assistance in this underdeveloped region. It is to be reinforced with up to 15,000 personnel and a tougher UN mandate under a UN resolution to halt the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, and operate alongside the Lebanese Armed Forces. 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 utilised for hostile activities of any kind.”[5]
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 the Government of Lebanon.
After the 2006 conflict the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force (MTF) was established to end the Israeli sea blockade of Lebanese ports. This force was initially led by the Italian Navy. In October 2006 the German Navy assumed the lead of the MTF and is since contributing the major part of the force. The MTG consists of about five frigates and ten smaller patrol vessels. It is cooperating with the Lebanese Navy.[6]
As of November 1, 2006 UNIFIL employs 9,509 military personnel, 53 United Nations Truce Supervision Organization observers, 97 international civilian employees, and 308 local civilian employees.[7] Its annual budget is about US$100 million. UNIFIL is currently led by Italian Major-General Claudio Graziano.
To date UNIFIL has suffered 258 fatalities: 249 military personnel, 2 military observers, 3 international civilian staff, and 4 local staff.
UNIFIL has fallen out of favour with both Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has criticized the force for, among other things, maintaining a dialogue with Hezbollah, which it views as a terrorist organisation, for treating Israeli and Hezbollah ceasefire breaches equally, while Israel views its overflights as less severe than Hezbollah shellings. UNIFIL was accused of complicity in the fatal abduction of IDF soldiers in October 2000, and Israel further blamed it for obstructing its investigation by denying the existence of and then refusing to supply videos for several months afterwards.[8][9]
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).[10]
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.[11]
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 Armenian community has vigorously protested against it.
According to UNIFIL press releases, there have been dozens of such incidents of UN posts coming under fire during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.[12] 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."[13]
★ An Israeli tank shell hit a UNIFIL position in southern Lebanon on Monday 24 July 2006, wounding four Ghanaian soldiers. UNIFIL engineers from China repaired a road connecting Tyre and Naqoura previously destroyed by the Israelis.[14]
★ Shrapnel from tank shells fired by the IDF seriously wounded an Indian soldier on 16 July 2006[15]
★ On 25 July 2006 four UN peacekeepers from Austria, Canada, China and Finland were killed when an Israeli aerial bomb struck a UN observation post in southern Lebanon. According to the UN, 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[16] throughout the day despite communication[17] via telephone between the UN liaison and the IDF. Later, a rescue team was also shelled[18] as it tried to clear the rubble.
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 [2], in addition to the forces deployed in Opération Baliste. Italy will send 3000 troops.[3] Qatar will send between 200 and 300 troops. [4]
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 VAB(Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé) on February 17 2007, as the part of the second wave of shipment from the agreement between the French and Indonesian governments. Amongst the equipments sent with the second wave of VABs are 10 tool boxes (pioneering equipment), 10 armored vehicle radio communications unit, HMG (Heavy Machine Gun) shooter shield, and 40 water jerrycans.[5]
On the 3 October 2006, an Israeli fighter penetrated the 2-nautical mile defence perimeter of the French frigate ''Courbet'', triggering a diplomatic incident. Israel apologised after official protests from the French government [6] [7].
On 24 October, six Israeli F-16's flew over a 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.[19][20][21]
On 31 October 2006, eight Israeli F-15s flew over many areas of Lebanon, including Beirut.[22][23] The IAF jets also flew over a French peacekeeper position in Lebanon. According to the 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.[24]
On 24 June 2007, six UNIFIL soldiers (three Colombians and three Spaniards) were killed after their vehicle was hit by an explosive device; two others (both Spanish) were injured in the incident.[25] No group has yet admitted responsibility. The Israeli military believed the attack to be the work of al-Qaeda/Global Jihad members.[26]
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.
★ 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.
★ "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[62]
★ "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[63]
★ " 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[64]
1. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=23593&Cr=lebanon&Cr1=
2. United Nations Security Council extends UN force in Lebanon until 31 July, unanimously adopting Resolution 1655 (2006) Retrieved on 2006-08-12
3. United Nations Security Council extends United Nations force in Lebanon, unanimously adopting Resolution 1697 (2006) Retrieved on 2006-08-12
4. United Nations Security Council calls for end to hostilities between Hizbollah, Israel, unanimously adopting Resolution 1701 (2006) Retrieved on 2006-08-12
5. ''The Times'' UN plans for 15,000 peacekeepers as Israel expands ground offensive - World - Times Online Retrieved on 2006-08-13
6. UN press release 16 Oct 2006: http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr065.pdf Retrieved on 30 June 2007
7. United Nations [1] Retrieved on 2006-11-3
8. CNN, 3 August 2001 U.N. report: Kidnapped Israeli soldiers may be dead
9. Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (for the period from 21 July 2004 to 20 January 2005) Document S/2005/36
10. Haaretz Israel accuses UN of collaborating with Hezbollah Retrieved 2006-10-28
11. What did you do in the war, UNIFIL?
12. United Nations UNIFIL press releases
13. See paragraph 28 in Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (S/2006/560) Accessed 31 July 2206
14. http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr09.pdf UNIFIL Press Release, Naqoura, 25 July 2006
15. http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr01.pdf UNIFIL Press Release, Naqoura, 17 July 2006
16. UNIFIL Untitled Press Release 26 July 2006
17. Telegraph, Telegraph (UK) Article, 27 July 2006
18. Reuters, Alertnet 26 July 2006
19. Germany, Israel confirm naval vessel-planes incident
20. Germany, Israel confirm naval vessel-planes incident
21. Israel denies firing shots at German ship
22. Israeli jets fly low over Beirut, ''BBC''
23. Israeli warplanes fly low over Beirut, suburbs, ''Reuters''
24. IDF checking French claim its UN troops almost fired at IAF jets, ''AP'' in ''Haaretz''
25. Lebanon blast kills UN soldiers
26. Al-Qaida suspected in attack that killed 5 UNIFIL troops
27. Expatica Communications Two Belgian generals toserve on Lebanon mission[8] Accessed September 14, 2006
28. Brudirect.com News Brunei Troops To Join Malaysia In Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
29. Daily Express Accord on Trans-Borneo Highway Accessed September 14, 2006
30. Naharnet Bulgaria Approves Sending 160-Crew Frigate to Lebanon Accessed September 30, 2006
31. MonstersandCritics.com Lebanon latest hotspot as China deploys peacekeepers Accessed September 14, 2006
32. Danish Navy 2 missilfartøjer men ingen korvet til Libanon Accessed October 2, 2006
33. Helsingin Sanomat President approves Lebanon force Accessed September 14, 2006
34. Herald Tribune Ireland to deploy 150 troops to United Nations force in Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
35. Associated Press French Tanks Give Teeth to U.N. Force Accessed September 14, 2006
36. Forbes France in Lebanon: the strength of hesitation Accessed September 14, 2006
37. China Daily Germany oks Lebanon mission Accessed September 14, 2006
38. IndianMuslims.info India to keep existing troops in UNIFIL for 'time being' Accessed September 14, 2006
39. Raw Story Media, Inc. UN opens meeting on Lebanon troops Accessed September 14, 2006
40. Raw Story Media, Inc. Indonesian soldiers off to Lebanon in late September Accessed September 14, 2006
41. Helsingin Sanomat Indonesian leader praises Finns for contribution to Aceh peace process Accessed September 14, 2006
42. The Irish Times 150 Irish troops to join UN interim force in Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
43. Italian Army[9] Accessed April 3, 2007
44. ANSA Peacekeepers need political support Accessed September 14, 2006
45. Peacekeeping Unit for Lebanon Created Sung-ki Jung
46. South Korean troops arrive in Lebanon to join UN peacekeepers
47. Korea Picks Site for Military Camp in Lebanon, Korea Times. ''Korea Times'', April 6, 2007, Retrieved on August 31, 2007.
48. Bernama.com[10]
49. Malaysia's Prime Minister's Office[11]
50. Islamic Republic News Agency Nepal to send 850 troops to war torn Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
51. PeaceJournalism.com Annan Ends his Visit to Beirut after Touring War-Ravaged South Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
52. Netherlands Ministry of Defence NEDERLANDS MARINESCHIP NAAR LIBANON Accessed October 2, 2006
53. Herald Tribune Norway to send four ships, crew to U.N. peacekeeping force for Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
54. Sending MTBs Accessed October 2, 2006
55. Raw Story Media, Inc. Poland to boost Lebanon UNIFIL force to 500 troops Accessed September 14, 2006
56. Asian Tribune U.N. Force Looks More European, Less Multinational Accessed September 14, 2006
57. Naharnet Portuguese UNIFIL Troops to Head to Lebanon Next Week Accessed October 28, 2006
58. Syrian Arab News Agency Russia Sends 1200 Soldiers to Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
59. People's Daily Online Spanish troops hope to help speed up Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
60. Daily Star Western envoys discuss deployments to UNIFIL Accessed September 14, 2006
61. Swedish armed forces HMS Gävle på väg søderut Accessed October 2, 2006
62. NPR.org Mass Exodus Continues as Lebanon Seeks Aid
63. Times Online (UK) The Times interview with Ehud Olmert: full transcript Accessed August 3, 2006
64. Democracy Now!, ''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''
★ 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
★ GlobalSecurity.org Lebanon
★ UNIFIL - UN official mandate
★ UNIFIL Deployment as of 2006 July
★ UNIFILvereniging, Dutch association for Unifil veterans
★ Site with Pictures and stories of Dutch peacekeepers attached to UNIFIL in 1979
★ UNIFIL Quip of the Day
The 'United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon', or 'UNIFIL', was created by the United Nations, with the adoption of Security Council Resolution 425 and 426 on March 19, 1978, to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and help the Government of Lebanon restore its effective authority in the area. Extracts relating to Article 98 of the Charter of the United Nations: Supplement No 5 (1970 - 1978)
The first UNIFIL troops arrived 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).
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 IDF. Extracts relating to Article 98 of the Charter of the United Nations: Supplement No 6 (1979 - 1984)
During the occupation, UNIFIL's function was mainly to provide humanitarian aid. 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 full 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 UN considers it to be outside Lebanon's border. 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.[1]
Mandate
UNIFIL is tasked with achieving the following objectives:
★ Confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon
★ Restore international peace and security
★ Assist the 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 Resolution 1655[2]
★ July 31, 2006: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1697[3]
★ August 11, 2006: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701[4]
Current operation
UNIFIL is currently primarily deployed along the United Nations-drawn Blue Line dividing Israel (and the disputed Golan Heights) and southern Lebanon. Its activities have centred around monitoring military activity between Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) with the aim of reducing tensions and allaying continuing low-level armed conflict. UNIFIL has also played an important rôle in clearing landmines, assisting displaced persons, and providing humanitarian assistance in this underdeveloped region. It is to be reinforced with up to 15,000 personnel and a tougher UN mandate under a UN resolution to halt the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, and operate alongside the Lebanese Armed Forces. 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 utilised for hostile activities of any kind.”[5]
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 the Government of Lebanon.
After the 2006 conflict the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force (MTF) was established to end the Israeli sea blockade of Lebanese ports. This force was initially led by the Italian Navy. In October 2006 the German Navy assumed the lead of the MTF and is since contributing the major part of the force. The MTG consists of about five frigates and ten smaller patrol vessels. It is cooperating with the Lebanese Navy.[6]
Troop status
As of November 1, 2006 UNIFIL employs 9,509 military personnel, 53 United Nations Truce Supervision Organization observers, 97 international civilian employees, and 308 local civilian employees.[7] Its annual budget is about US$100 million. UNIFIL is currently led by Italian Major-General Claudio Graziano.
To date UNIFIL has suffered 258 fatalities: 249 military personnel, 2 military observers, 3 international civilian staff, and 4 local staff.
Debate over UNIFIL presence and neutrality
UNIFIL has fallen out of favour with both Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has criticized the force for, among other things, maintaining a dialogue with Hezbollah, which it views as a terrorist organisation, for treating Israeli and Hezbollah ceasefire breaches equally, while Israel views its overflights as less severe than Hezbollah shellings. UNIFIL was accused of complicity in the fatal abduction of IDF soldiers in October 2000, and Israel further blamed it for obstructing its investigation by denying the existence of and then refusing to supply videos for several months afterwards.[8][9]
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).[10]
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.[11]
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 Armenian community has vigorously protested against it.
Conflict in 2006
According to UNIFIL press releases, there have been dozens of such incidents of UN posts coming under fire during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.[12] 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."[13]
Casualties from Israeli fire
★ An Israeli tank shell hit a UNIFIL position in southern Lebanon on Monday 24 July 2006, wounding four Ghanaian soldiers. UNIFIL engineers from China repaired a road connecting Tyre and Naqoura previously destroyed by the Israelis.[14]
★ Shrapnel from tank shells fired by the IDF seriously wounded an Indian soldier on 16 July 2006[15]
★ On 25 July 2006 four UN peacekeepers from Austria, Canada, China and Finland were killed when an Israeli aerial bomb struck a UN observation post in southern Lebanon. According to the UN, 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[16] throughout the day despite communication[17] via telephone between the UN liaison and the IDF. Later, a rescue team was also shelled[18] as it tried to clear the rubble.
Reinforcements
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 [2], in addition to the forces deployed in Opération Baliste. Italy will send 3000 troops.[3] Qatar will send between 200 and 300 troops. [4]
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 VAB(Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé) on February 17 2007, as the part of the second wave of shipment from the agreement between the French and Indonesian governments. Amongst the equipments sent with the second wave of VABs are 10 tool boxes (pioneering equipment), 10 armored vehicle radio communications unit, HMG (Heavy Machine Gun) shooter shield, and 40 water jerrycans.[5]
Incidents involving Israeli planes
On the 3 October 2006, an Israeli fighter penetrated the 2-nautical mile defence perimeter of the French frigate ''Courbet'', triggering a diplomatic incident. Israel apologised after official protests from the French government [6] [7].
On 24 October, six Israeli F-16's flew over a 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.[19][20][21]
On 31 October 2006, eight Israeli F-15s flew over many areas of Lebanon, including Beirut.[22][23] The IAF jets also flew over a French peacekeeper position in Lebanon. According to the 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.[24]
Post-Conflict Situation
On 24 June 2007, six UNIFIL soldiers (three Colombians and three Spaniards) were killed after their vehicle was hit by an explosive device; two others (both Spanish) were injured in the incident.[25] No group has yet admitted responsibility. The Israeli military believed the attack to be the work of al-Qaeda/Global Jihad members.[26]
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.
| Country | Committed Forces (estimated ★ ) | Support Roles |
|---|---|---|
| 394[27] | de-miners, medical and reconstruction teams | |
| 100[28][29] | ||
| 160[30] | ||
| 'China, People’s Republic of' | 1,000[31]Haaretz China to send as many as 1,000 peackeeping troops to Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006 | 200 engineers currently in Lebanon clearing mines and unexploded ordnance |
| 50[32] | 2 patrol boats as force protection for German contingent | |
| 250[33] | reconstructing roads, bridges and other infrastructure destroyed[34] | |
| 'France' | 2,000 | ground troops including 13 French Leclerc tanks;[35] in charge of UNIFIL ground forces until February 2007.[36] In addition, French Navy ships with 1,700 men are deployed off Lebanon in Opération Baliste, and assisting in UNIFIL operations. |
| 2,400MonstersandCritics.com Germany sends troops to Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006[37] | naval ships to secure the Lebanese coast and prevent arms smuggling | |
| 'Ghana' | 650 | |
| 176-196 | ''Elli''-class frigate, the HS ''Kanaris'', to patrol against arms smugglers Greece begins its peacekeeping drive in Lebanon: Frigate has orders to fire if need be | |
| 'India' | 672[38][39] | |
| 1,000[40][41] | combat units, an engineering unit and logistics specialists | |
| 'Ireland' | 150[42] | perimeter protection for Finnish troops |
| 'Italy' | 2,500[43] | ground troops; assumed charge of UNIFIL ground forces in February 2007[44] |
| 350[45][46] | Infantry units and medical team. Security task in Tyre area and associated supply mission.[47] Medical aid for local people. | |
| 360[48][49] | Administrative(200) and patrol/quick reaction team (160; including commandos and special forces); | |
| 850[50][51] | infantry battalion | |
| 150[52] | 1 Karel Doorman class frigate | |
| 'Norway' | 100[53][54] | naval ships to secure the Lebanese coast and prevent arms smuggling |
| 'Poland' | 500[55][56] | |
| 140[57] | engineering unit | |
| 400[58] | rebuilding infrastructure | |
| 6 | medical team | |
| 1,000[59] | de-mining and beach cleaning[60] | |
| 40[61] | 1 Göteborg class corvette | |
| 495Turkish Weekly The Turkish UNIFIL Troops Set off for Lebanon Accessed November 9, 2006 | engineering unit to help rebuild damaged bridges and roads; Turkish naval frigate patrolling off the Lebanese coast | |
| 'Ukraine' | 1 | |
| Total | '13,817' |
★ 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.
UNIFIL leadership
Personal representatives of the Secretary-General for Southern Lebanon
| Start Date | End Date | Name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 1978 | Jean Cuq | France | |
| 2000 | January 15 2001 | Rolf Goran Knutsson | Sweden |
| January 15 2001 | April 2005 | Staffan de Mistura | Sweden |
| April 2005 | ''Present'' | Geir Perdersen | Norway |
Commanders of the force
| Start Date | End Date | Name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 1978 | February 1981 | Emmanuel A. Erskine | Ghana |
| February 1981 | May 1986 | William Callaghan | 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 | Jioje Konousi Koronte | Fiji |
| September 30 1999 | December 1 1999 | James Sreenan | Ireland |
| November 16 1999 | May 15 2001 | 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
| 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 | ''Present'' | Karl-Wilhelm Bollow | Germany |
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[62]
★ "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[63]
★ " 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[64]
Notes
1. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=23593&Cr=lebanon&Cr1=
2. United Nations Security Council extends UN force in Lebanon until 31 July, unanimously adopting Resolution 1655 (2006) Retrieved on 2006-08-12
3. United Nations Security Council extends United Nations force in Lebanon, unanimously adopting Resolution 1697 (2006) Retrieved on 2006-08-12
4. United Nations Security Council calls for end to hostilities between Hizbollah, Israel, unanimously adopting Resolution 1701 (2006) Retrieved on 2006-08-12
5. ''The Times'' UN plans for 15,000 peacekeepers as Israel expands ground offensive - World - Times Online Retrieved on 2006-08-13
6. UN press release 16 Oct 2006: http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr065.pdf Retrieved on 30 June 2007
7. United Nations [1] Retrieved on 2006-11-3
8. CNN, 3 August 2001 U.N. report: Kidnapped Israeli soldiers may be dead
9. Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (for the period from 21 July 2004 to 20 January 2005) Document S/2005/36
10. Haaretz Israel accuses UN of collaborating with Hezbollah Retrieved 2006-10-28
11. What did you do in the war, UNIFIL?
12. United Nations UNIFIL press releases
13. See paragraph 28 in Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (S/2006/560) Accessed 31 July 2206
14. http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr09.pdf UNIFIL Press Release, Naqoura, 25 July 2006
15. http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr01.pdf UNIFIL Press Release, Naqoura, 17 July 2006
16. UNIFIL Untitled Press Release 26 July 2006
17. Telegraph, Telegraph (UK) Article, 27 July 2006
18. Reuters, Alertnet 26 July 2006
19. Germany, Israel confirm naval vessel-planes incident
20. Germany, Israel confirm naval vessel-planes incident
21. Israel denies firing shots at German ship
22. Israeli jets fly low over Beirut, ''BBC''
23. Israeli warplanes fly low over Beirut, suburbs, ''Reuters''
24. IDF checking French claim its UN troops almost fired at IAF jets, ''AP'' in ''Haaretz''
25. Lebanon blast kills UN soldiers
26. Al-Qaida suspected in attack that killed 5 UNIFIL troops
27. Expatica Communications Two Belgian generals toserve on Lebanon mission[8] Accessed September 14, 2006
28. Brudirect.com News Brunei Troops To Join Malaysia In Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
29. Daily Express Accord on Trans-Borneo Highway Accessed September 14, 2006
30. Naharnet Bulgaria Approves Sending 160-Crew Frigate to Lebanon Accessed September 30, 2006
31. MonstersandCritics.com Lebanon latest hotspot as China deploys peacekeepers Accessed September 14, 2006
32. Danish Navy 2 missilfartøjer men ingen korvet til Libanon Accessed October 2, 2006
33. Helsingin Sanomat President approves Lebanon force Accessed September 14, 2006
34. Herald Tribune Ireland to deploy 150 troops to United Nations force in Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
35. Associated Press French Tanks Give Teeth to U.N. Force Accessed September 14, 2006
36. Forbes France in Lebanon: the strength of hesitation Accessed September 14, 2006
37. China Daily Germany oks Lebanon mission Accessed September 14, 2006
38. IndianMuslims.info India to keep existing troops in UNIFIL for 'time being' Accessed September 14, 2006
39. Raw Story Media, Inc. UN opens meeting on Lebanon troops Accessed September 14, 2006
40. Raw Story Media, Inc. Indonesian soldiers off to Lebanon in late September Accessed September 14, 2006
41. Helsingin Sanomat Indonesian leader praises Finns for contribution to Aceh peace process Accessed September 14, 2006
42. The Irish Times 150 Irish troops to join UN interim force in Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
43. Italian Army[9] Accessed April 3, 2007
44. ANSA Peacekeepers need political support Accessed September 14, 2006
45. Peacekeeping Unit for Lebanon Created Sung-ki Jung
46. South Korean troops arrive in Lebanon to join UN peacekeepers
47. Korea Picks Site for Military Camp in Lebanon, Korea Times. ''Korea Times'', April 6, 2007, Retrieved on August 31, 2007.
48. Bernama.com[10]
49. Malaysia's Prime Minister's Office[11]
50. Islamic Republic News Agency Nepal to send 850 troops to war torn Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
51. PeaceJournalism.com Annan Ends his Visit to Beirut after Touring War-Ravaged South Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
52. Netherlands Ministry of Defence NEDERLANDS MARINESCHIP NAAR LIBANON Accessed October 2, 2006
53. Herald Tribune Norway to send four ships, crew to U.N. peacekeeping force for Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
54. Sending MTBs Accessed October 2, 2006
55. Raw Story Media, Inc. Poland to boost Lebanon UNIFIL force to 500 troops Accessed September 14, 2006
56. Asian Tribune U.N. Force Looks More European, Less Multinational Accessed September 14, 2006
57. Naharnet Portuguese UNIFIL Troops to Head to Lebanon Next Week Accessed October 28, 2006
58. Syrian Arab News Agency Russia Sends 1200 Soldiers to Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
59. People's Daily Online Spanish troops hope to help speed up Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
60. Daily Star Western envoys discuss deployments to UNIFIL Accessed September 14, 2006
61. Swedish armed forces HMS Gävle på väg søderut Accessed October 2, 2006
62. NPR.org Mass Exodus Continues as Lebanon Seeks Aid
63. Times Online (UK) The Times interview with Ehud Olmert: full transcript Accessed August 3, 2006
64. Democracy Now!, ''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''
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
Sources
★ GlobalSecurity.org Lebanon
External links
★ UNIFIL - UN official mandate
★ UNIFIL Deployment as of 2006 July
★ UNIFILvereniging, Dutch association for Unifil veterans
★ Site with Pictures and stories of Dutch peacekeepers attached to UNIFIL in 1979
★ UNIFIL Quip of the Day
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