For Free Distribution Not For Sale

January 2010 - no.06

Editorial Understanding UNIFIL three years on At the launch of ‘Al-Janoub’ in 2007 we hoped to have it serve as a platform for exchange of information between UNIFIL and the people of south Lebanon. We believed, and still do, that human relationships are best founded on a well informed appreciation of mutual concerns and sensibilities.

Now, more than three years since the UN Security UNIFIL must therefore blow the whistle every time there is Council resolution 1701, the need remains more than any side violating any element of their agreement on the ever for UNIFIL to explain to the people what the cessation of hostilities. UNIFIL does this in an impartial mission is about and to in turn better understand the and factual manner, making its observations with full needs and expectations of the people. One would think transparency and ultimately deferring the judgment to the that after more than three decades of UNIFIL’s existence UN Security Council. [since 1978], the Lebanese would know all there is to Third, UNIFIL is NOT the agency that has primary know about it. However, the situation over these years responsibility for security in south Lebanon: the has evolved and so has UNIFIL. Lebanese Army is. Having facilitated the deployment Perceptions carried forward from the long years of of the Lebanese Army in south Lebanon, UNIFIL now presence, multiple UN involvement on issues related to, supports the Lebanese Army in ensuring security in the but often outside, UNIFIL’s remit and the plethora of UN area. The primary responsibility for security, a sovereign documents representing the many international attempts right as much as a responsibility, legitimately belongs to to address developments in this part of the world, all the Lebanese state. UNIFIL only assists in this. underline the need for UNIFIL to constantly clarify its Fourth, UNIFIL is NOT here to provide a military solution mandate to the people. to the conflict: On the contrary, the very essence of We therefore thought it appropriate to turn the lens once UNIFIL and of UN peacekeeping is to achieve a peaceful again on UNIFIL, what it does and why. The lead articles resolution to a conflict. True, UNIFIL has the mandate in this issue look at UNIFIL’s mission in simple practical and the ability to use force, but that is not the defining terms, both with respect to the activities of UNIFIL on intent of its robust military capability. For UNIFIL, force the ground and the role the mission plays in fostering a is a measure of last resort to be used, besides in long-term solution to the conflict. self-defence, to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent UNIFIL from discharging its duties; to protect Before proceeding to see what UNIFIL is, let us begin UN personnel, facilities, installations and equipment; to here with ‘what UNIFIL is not’: ensure the security and freedom of movement of UN First, NOT every provision of resolution 1701 is UNIFIL’s personnel and humanitarian workers; to protect civilians responsibility: True, one part of 1701 defines UNIFIL’s under imminent threat of physical violence; and to ensure mandate, but the resolution also addresses other that UNIFIL’s area of operations is not utilized for hostile concerns, most notably for a permanent ceasefire and activities. The essence of having ‘weapons of peace’ is in long-term solution to the conflict that must be achieved negating the need for their use. through a political process, which is outside the remit Fifth, UNIFIL is NOT a development or humanitarian of UNIFIL. UNIFIL does many things to maintain the agency: the UN has other agencies mandated for such cessation of hostilities, de-escalate tensions and tasks, while UNIFIL has a specific peacekeeping mandate. support the Lebanese Army in ensuring a secure The small scale projects that UNIFIL undertakes or the environment – things that foster a long-term settlement; services it extends to the local communities are all done but the settlement itself must be reached by the parties. in the context of the relationship the peacekeepers share In other words, UNIFIL facilitates a political solution, but with the people, whereby it is imperative to address the cannot substitute for it. consequences of wars and destruction that our hosts in Second, UNIFIL is NOT a party to the conflict: UNIFIL is south Lebanon are faced with. an impartial presence that is here at the request of the So let us find out what UNIFIL is about; read on... Lebanese government and that more broadly draws from the consent of the parties in the context of the Neeraj Singh cessation of hostilities that the parties have agreed on. Editor-in-Chief Contents

Editorial: Understanding UNIFIL 3 years on 3

Renewal of UNIFIL mandate 5

Maritime Task Force’s role in UNIFIL 6

UNIFIL ground operations 7

Why UNIFIL works? 8 ‘Al Janoub’ is published by UNIFIL Office of Public Information Blue Line blues 9

Photo Feature: The Blue Line | Publisher Design/Graphics 10 11 Milos Strugar Zeina Ezzeddine Editor-in-Chief Editorial support Neeraj Singh Adib Al Moussa The cows, the pond and the Blue Line… 12 Senior editors Photographers Samir F. Ghattas Pasqual Gorriz Marcos Joumana Sayegh Mohammad Bawa Ramadan at UNIFIL 13

Inching to a safer south Lebanon 14 Al Janoub contact

Tel. +961 1 827 020 Email [email protected] +961 1 926 291 Fax +961 1 827 016 UNIFIL honours its own on UN Day 15 Except where identified by the copyright symbol ©, articles in Al Janoub may be reprinted without permission on condition that two copies of the publication containing the reprint are sent to the Editor-in-Chief of Al Janoub. Bint Jbail rises 16

The logo ‘ ’ is a calligraphic representation of the word ‘Al Janoub’ in Arabic Savouring south Lebanese tradition 17

Aiming … for peace 18 Colour correction and printing

Disclaimer The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNIFIL concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city area or of its authorities, or concerning delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed do not necessarily represent the policies or positions of UNIFIL, nor does the citing of trade names or commercial processes constitute endorsement. 1701 Renewal of UNIFIL mandate a testament to confidence The UN Security Council, at the request of the Lebanese government, extended in August the mandate of UNIFIL for another year. The extension came with no changes to the mandate, rules of engagement or the mission of UNIFIL. Resolution 1884 (2009), which renewed the mandate until 31 August 2010, commends the positive role of UNIFIL and states that the deployment of UNIFIL together with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has helped to establish a new strategic environment in Joint UNIFIL and Lebanese Army team check map coordinates during Blue Line marking southern Lebanon. the Lebanese Armed Forces so that it The decision, three years since the adoption assumes full and effective security control of resolution 1701 (2006), demonstrates that over UNIFIL’s Area of Operations and the The long-term objective the international community highly values Lebanese territorial waters, in line with of UNIFIL is to gradually the performance of UNIFIL and believes that resolution 1701. transfer responsibilities to the force is adequately empowered to play It is essential in this regard that the the Lebanese Armed Forces its mandated role. Lebanese Armed Forces gets the technical Four elements of resolution 1884 (2009) are and material resources it requires to fulfill noteworthy: the need to reach a permanent its vital responsibilities. To this end, the safety and security of UN personnel, military ceasefire; the significance of the cooperation UN urges the international community to and civilians, who are operating in south between UNIFIL and LAF; the decision to continue and intensify its assistance to the Lebanon is of the highest importance for review UNIFIL’s operational capacity; and the Lebanese Armed Forces. the international community. In the past two importance of allowing UNIFIL to operate After three years of resolution 1701 years there have been three terrorist attacks freely and with security. and the improvements on the ground against UNIFIL in which six peacekeepers Resolution 1884 (2009) urges all parties to that have resulted, the Security Council were killed and two wounded. cooperate fully with the Security Council endorsed the Secretary-General’s proposal The peacekeepers from 30 countries have and the Secretary-General to achieve for a comprehensive review of UNIFIL’s come to south Lebanon to help the people, a permanent ceasefire and a long-term operational capacity, including the force keep peace and bring about stability in the solution. There is clearly a need for greater structure, assets and requirements. The area so that people who suffered so much progress in this regard that the resolution objective is to ensure continued operational can have a normal, safe life. emphasizes. effectiveness of UNIFIL by making sure The peacekeepers came here at the Conditions on the ground have significantly that it is properly structured, resourced, invitation of the Lebanese government improved and UNIFIL has provided a strong equipped and has all the necessary assets and people; they have shared the good deterrent to the resumption of hostilities. to fulfill its mandate. and bad times with the people of south But until such time that the cessation This review is in line with peacekeeping Lebanon. As invited guests, it is imperative of hostilities is solidified by a permanent good practice. It does not address, and will that their role in keeping the peace is duly ceasefire, the present calm in southern not result in, any change in the mandate, respected and that they enjoy the safety Lebanon will remain precarious. mission and rules of engagement of UNIFIL. and freedom of movement that they require The international community clearly sees Over the next several months, the review to properly perform the tasks Lebanon and the combined efforts and the cooperation will be discussed with UN Headquarters in the international community has entrusted between UNIFIL and LAF as key elements New York and a decision will be taken in to them. for the implementation of the mandated close coordination with troop contributing In this way, the Security Council has once tasks. Welcoming the expansion of countries. again clarified the way forward towards coordinated activities between the two The resolution stressed that an essential sustainable peace in south Lebanon. And forces, the Security Council encouraged element for UNIFIL to be able to carry out its UNIFIL’s presence secures safe progress further enhancement of this cooperation. tasks in southern Lebanon is for the force along this course. Time is at a premium; The long-term objective of UNIFIL is to operate in a safe and secure environment the opportunity for peace must be grasped. to gradually transfer responsibilities to and with full freedom of movement. The Milos Strugar Director of Political & Civil Affairs/UNIFIL Issue 06 Jan. 10 Navy inagradualmanner. Thisisdirectly over securityresponsibilities totheLAF- The longtermobjectiveofMTF istohand also board andinspectasuspectvessel. Armed Forces-Navy (LAF-Navy),MTFmay authorities. Ifrequested bytheLebanese Vessels forinspectionbyLebanese diverting orreferring suspectMerchant the Lebaneseterritorialwaters,stopping/ (MIO), includingidentificationand,within to conductMaritimeInterdiction Operations to theLebaneseterritorialwaters;andtwo, Area ofMaritimeOperations,withpriority naval presence andsurveillanceoverthe MTF’s Tripoli andSidon. the three mainharboursofLebanon:Beirut, particularly alongtheapproach corridorsto continuous surveillanceofmerchant traffic, are waters.MTFUnitsconduct international Lebanese territorialwaters,beyondwhich miles from theLebanesecoastline constitute Mediterranean Sea.Thefirst12nautical westward upto43nautical milesintothe entire coastlineofLebanon andstretching Operations (AMO)thatrunsalongthe MTF UnitsoperateintheArea ofMaritime In the nextsixmonthsonbehalfofItaly. 2009 IassumedCommandoftheMTFfor Force Command.Onthe1st ofDecember have byrotation assumedMaritime Task then Germany, Italy, FranceandBelgium related materialbyseainto Lebanon.Since prevent theunauthorizedentry ofarmsor in securingtheterritorialwatersandtohelp toassisttheLebaneseNavy Government 2006 uponrequest oftheLebanese Force) hasbeendeployedsince October peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL Maritime Task The firstNavalForce tobe partofaUN related tothe LAF-Navyacquiringthe order to accomplish the assigned mission, UNIFIL in role Force’s Task Maritime maintasksare: One,toestablisha 6 7 waters. Themain traininggoalistoenable the abilitytofullycontrol theirterritorial assist andtraintheLAF-Navy togain The who embarksonaweeklybasis. board hisshipaLebaneseLiaisonOfficer Interdiction OperationCommanderhason assist inhisidentificationtasks,theMaritime MTF andLAF-Navyisfundamental:to In for inspectiontoLAFauthorities. inbound toaLebaneseharbour, are referred classified “suspect”are monitored and,if completion ofhailing.Allmerchant vessels “suspect” or“clear”(toproceed) upon critical: itallowstoclassifyacontactas The increases thesurveillancearea. Identification System,acapstonetoolthat is executedbyusingtheAutomatic crossing theArea ofMaritimeOperations andcontrolcapabilities. Vigilance ofships with theappropriate command andcontrol assigned tofrigates,whichare largerships is continuouslyontask.Thisdutynormally Maritime Interdiction Operation Commander Maritime Picture (RMP)inthe wholearea, a In initial deploymentin2006. capacity of18vesselsforeseen duringits is currently operatingatless thanhalfthe same periodhasdecreased sothattheMTF personnel. TheMTFstrength duringthe training provided byMTFto LAF-Navy other navalequipment,andtheregular donations ofpatrol craft,radar assetsand capabilities haveincreased through bilateral Already inthepastthree yearsLAF-Navy’s control overLebaneseterritorial waters. borders andassumeeffective security requisite capabilitiestosecure itsmaritime order tomaintainaclearRecognized thisprocess thecooperationbetween identificationprocess ofalltrafficis secondpillarofMTFmission isto Rear AdmiralPaolo Sandalli welfare andoverallstabilityofLebanon. significant benefitstotheeconomy, trade, the securityofmaritimeshipping, with area andhavehelpedgenerallyenhance deterrence againstillegalactivityinthe resolution 1701,proved asastrong implementation ofUNSecurityCouncil (NOC), theCoastalRadarStationsand In thisprocess theNavalOperation Centre evaluate andmaintainasurfacepicture. LAF-Navy toacquire theability toestablish, All Maritime Interdiction Operations. Navy takesadirect partintheUNIFIL naval skills.Inthisnewconcept,theLAF- board ofUNIFILships,toincrease their Lebanese sailorsroutinely embarkon ‘stage atsea’,forexample,uptoseven integration havebeenestablished.During Several time ashort in scrambled be Tyre can which and Beirut Tripoli, in Jounieh, based units of four consisting by LAF–Navy established been has Component Sea Reaction Quick a Furthermore, Operations. of Maritime Area larger the in operating MTF UNIFIL the with Organization) Radar Coastal the and Boats (Patrol Components LAF-Navy two of the employment coordinated the involve which Operations, Interdiction Maritime implemented through the Combined operations. actual during mode support amutual in operate’ you as ‘train and trainers’ the of ‘train principles to the according studies practical as well as theoretical tailored include The involved. the patrolling navalassets have tobefully theseefforts havecontributedtothe main activities of the MTF program program MTF of the activities main to interdict suspect vessels. suspect to interdict othersectorsofcooperationand UNIFIL MTFCommander This has been been has This

UNIFIL ground operations Every day several hundred patrols, each with two or three white vehicles flying the UN flag, roll down the roads of southern Lebanon. Added to that are a hundred Observation Posts, a number of foot patrols, de-miners and engineering teams working along the Blue Line and other areas on the ground and, in the skies above, white helicopters observing the Blue Line. But what drives all these activities? respect for the Blue Line, the UN drawn together with LAF, during which troops ‘Line of Withdrawal’ of the Israel Defence jointly patrol a selected area by vehicle The international community, through the Forces from Lebanon in 2000. and on foot and establish temporary United Nations, committed a military force observation posts and checkpoints to stop to restore international peace and security in Specificoperational considerations also and check vehicles and persons moving in southern Lebanon. UNIFIL’s peacekeeping draw from concern for protection of civilians the area, besides conducting searches of force, which counts more than 11,000 and any potential escalatory action that specific areas assessed as potential sites soldiers on the ground, has been mandated could jeopardize the cessation of hostilities. for launching rockets. to monitor the cessation of hostilities; With regard to static operations, UNIFIL and accompany and support the Lebanese LAF operate co-located road checkpoints. Supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces is Armed Forces (LAF) in their deployment UNIFIL troops apply the “blue ring” concept, an important element of UNIFIL’s mandate. throughout the South, including along the deploying a layer of forces outside the This is aimed at gradually transferring Blue Line, as Israel withdrew its armed checkpoint manned by LAF personnel who responsibilities to the LAF so that it assumes forces from Lebanon; extend its assistance stop and search any suspicious vehicles. full and effective security control over to help ensure humanitarian access to Observation posts are the most typical UNIFIL’s area of operations in line with the civilian populations and the voluntary and static operational activity. These are located UN Security Council resolution 1701. To this safe return of displaced persons; and at vantage points allowing valuable area end, UNIFIL has been conducting regular assist the LAF in taking steps towards the surveillance with particular focus on the Blue joint training and exercises with LAF, such as establishment between the Blue Line and Line, including during the night by employing joint exercises in artillery live firing, medical the Litani river of an area free of any armed night vision devices. evacuation, natural disaster response and personnel, assets and weapons other than so on. At the same time, UNIFIL continues Deterrence of any hostile activities is those of the Government of Lebanon and of to urge the international community to ensured through the combined presence UNIFIL deployed in this area. further intensify its material and technical and operations of UNIFIL and LAF troops. assistance to the LAF. Monitoring, deterrence and support UNIFIL’s Quick Reaction Force plays an are the three main functions of UNIFIL’s important role in this regard. This Force Coordinated operations with LAF have peacekeeping efforts on the ground. is composed of conventional main battle a dual purpose: first the tactical goal of tanks, self-propelled howitzers, radar- ensuring security; and second to support Monitoring is achieved by a mix of dynamic the LAF in performing more and more and static operations. On the dynamic side, assisted anti-aircraft artillery and anti-tank missiles. Obviously this robust deterrence complex tasks and to assume tactical regular ground patrolling, both on vehicles ownership of the Lebanese territory. and on foot, including coordinated patrols force needs to be trained and to understand with LAF as well as what are called Area the terrain and its characteristics very well. UNIFIL’s ground operations conducted Domination Patrols that combine ground For this reason, periodic training exercises in cooperation with the LAF have helped and helicopter patrolling, enables UNIFIL to are planned across UNIFIL’s area of create what the UN Secretary-General and maintain a presence across the area. Major operations, especially along the Blue Line. the Security Council have called a “new roads, small paths and wadis are randomly Special counter-rocket-launching strategic environment in southern Lebanon”. patrolled. Particular focus is on ensuring operations are conducted by UNIFIL Col. Sergio Filippi Chief Joint Operations Centre/UNIFIL It’s a question that many people Why UNIFIL works? in Lebanon and abroad keep asking. Peacekeepers have been deployed in has led to the longest period of tranquility in achievement for a region buffeted by conflict southern Lebanon since 1978, and only southern Lebanon in years. for decades. To accuse UNIFIL of doing remembered whenever there is trouble. But The Lebanese government has deployed the nothing, as some would like to say, is an for just a few seconds, imagine there were Lebanese Armed Forces since 2006 for the injustice inflicted on the 12,500 troops, the no UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, first time in decades. The Lebanese army has mission and the 30 contributing countries. along the Line of Withdrawal (Blue Line) with primary responsibility for security in the area Here there are soldiers from faraway Israel, to monitor, liaise, put a lid on tensions and UNIFIL assists. Yet, Lebanese would still Indonesia, the world’s most populous and try to mediate disputes, and you will be uneasy, for example, about living along Islamic country, mountainous Nepal and have the answer. the fence Israel put up on its side of the Blue nearby Turkey and tiny Qatar to Italy, France A lot has been said about the United Nations Line if it wasn’t for that strong presence by and Spain. At one point, UNIFIL had troops Interim Force in Lebanon over the years. both the army and UNIFIL, a deployment from remote Fiji islands in the South Pacific. Some have poked fun at the name for being providing that sense of security and stability. All have come here for the sake of helping the Lebanese rebuild their lives. probably the longest “interim” peacekeeping What would have happened after Israeli cows force in the world. Others have simply crossed to drink water on the Lebanese side A total of 281 peacekeepers have lost their dismissed it as just a watchman counting as was the case recently at a pond in the lives since UNIFIL first deployed to southern and reporting the violations of determined eastern border region near Kfar Shouba if it Lebanon in 1978. enemies - at first Israel and Palestinian wasn’t for UNIFIL’s intervention? What would UNIFIL and its mission have evolved with guerrillas, now Israel and Hezbollah. Some the result be if a Lebanese shepherd strayed the same principle, protecting the local have gone to the extreme, even accusing into Israeli territory or a mentally unstable population and ensuring security and stability the peacekeepers of disturbing the tranquility Israeli man made his way to Lebanon? in its area of operations. of life in south Lebanon villages, damaging Imagine the calamity that would have been roads and inconveniencing residents. UNIFIL was there for the people of south the consequence of water disputes or Lebanon when the country plunged into civil But despite the occasional praise, suspicion construction work along the frontier. war and the central government in Beirut and criticism, UNIFIL has proven that it All these events were recipe for trouble. But works. This fact is not lost on the leaders in collapsed during the 1975 -90 conflict. During with the presence of UNIFIL, it was liaison, both Lebanon and Israel and diplomats at the the 2006 war, UNIFIL ran convoys of aid to troubleshooting and stabilization - all UNIFIL- United Nations and capitals around the world. needy villagers and helped evacuate people. instituted mechanisms to deal with such This was confirmed again in late August Today, UNIFIL is engaged in joint exercises simple, but potentially explosive issues. when the UN Security Council renewed the with the Lebanese army to improve mandate of UNIFIL without amendments for UNIFIL’s coordination with the Lebanese coordination and efficiency. UNIFIL also has one year, until 31 August 2010. army and its liaison between the parties embarked on an effort to clearly mark the allowed it to turn the situation around. A Why UNIFIL works? And how does it work? Blue Line in order to minimize the violations Lebanese shepherd who is detained by For an outsider, southern Lebanon and of the Line of Withdrawal. Israel for crossing the Blue Line is sent particularly the region south of the Litani The force is also the biggest employer back, a deranged Israeli man who crossed River and the Blue Line that is UNIFIL’s area in southern Lebanon after the Lebanese into Lebanon in late August was sent back, of operations is very much a wasteland of government, with about 700 national civilian fences were fixed and water drains repaired. unexploded mines, former battleground and employees. Seldom there is a border village Always there is some kind of solution found, constantly in the line of fire in the regional that does not have some kind of economic UNIFIL working with the parties. power play. relationship with the peacekeepers or benefit But that is far from the truth. South Lebanon Even regarding the village of Ghajar that the from their presence. Blue Line cuts through, UNIFIL proposals is bustling with activity, villages this summer As efforts for a permanent ceasefire continue dominated the discussions recently. were bursting with visitors, farmers are through the diplomatic channels, UNIFIL's routinely tending their crops and a once The cessation of hostilities arranged under presence in south Lebanon helps prevent the impoverished region has fast caught up resolution 1701 is holding, thanks to UNIFIL’s resumption of hostilities. Under the current with the revival witnessed elsewhere in the liaison efforts and particularly the tripartite conditions, if there was no UNIFIL we’d have country. Credit goes to UN Security Council talks’ mechanism. Despite minor incidents, to create one. resolution 1701 of 2006 and the deployment no one was killed in combat since the 2006 of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL, which deployment of UNIFIL and this is quite an Samir F. Ghattas UNIFIL Public Information

Issue 06 Jan. 10 Issue 06 Jan. 8 9

Blue Line blues Peacekeepers face challenges on the line of withdrawal between Lebanon and Israel

Sheikh Abbad Hill, Lebanon - protected by the UN flag and escorted by other places the Israeli high-security The UNIFIL officer opened a small gate peacekeepers. It is said that a holy man “technical fence” runs a few hundred on the edge of his base, pulled a blue is buried there, revered by both Muslims meters south of the Blue Line. UN flag, lifted it up and started climbing and Jews. At Fatima Gate at the inland village the steps toward a tomb that marked the Here, the move is organized. But of Kafer Kila, the Blue Line and the frontier between Lebanon and Israel in elsewhere along the Blue Line, the technical fence run next to each other. that area of southern Lebanon. lines are not clearly drawn. In other places, the Blue Line cannot be reached because of the many land mines A fence laid above the tomb stretched So UNIFIL, in coordination with the and bushes or the steep drops of valleys. around the adjacent fortified Israeli army parties, has commenced marking the position. It’s so close that soldiers could Blue Line. At Shebaa Farms in the southeast, be heard talking. Peacekeepers maintain many positions Lebanon has reservations about the Blue The Indonesian peacekeeper pointed to and observation posts along the Blue Line but is committed to respect it as the midday shadow of the fence right in Line and run regular land and helicopter identified. Lebanon says Shebaa Farms, the middle of the tomb and said: “This is patrols to ensure that it is respected and a mountainous terrain on the foothills the Blue Line.” stability prevails and that disputes do of Mount Hermon, is Lebanese territory On this part of the frontier between Israel not develop into conflict. They have been that Israel continues to occupy. Israel and Lebanon, The Blue Line, or the Line largely successful. Despite sporadic captured that area from Syria in the of Withdrawal, is a shadow. Elsewhere, it incidents, it’s the longest period of peace 1967 Mideast war. is not even that - most likely an invisible in southern Lebanon in a long time. Another Blue Line flashpoint is at the line, a bird’s fly between two rocks The Blue Line - the Line of Withdrawal village of Ghajar, which Israel also seized painted blue by cartographers, defined identified by UN cartographers to from Syria in 1967. When the Blue Line by markings on an open field or by the confirm the Israeli army’s withdrawal was identified by UN cartographers it cut skyline of a mountain top and the median in 2000 - is 121 kilometers long. It through the village. Under UN Security line of a river bed. stretches from the Mediterranean coast Council resolution 1701 of 2006, Israel So the likelihood of inadvertent violations at Naqoura in the west to Mount El- is obliged to withdraw from the northern of the Blue Line by civilians, particularly Sheikh (Haramon) in the east. It is not part of Ghajar and an adjacent area north shepherds, is possible given the difficulty the border between the two countries. of the Blue Line. in identifying it. Just like with Sheikh The Blue Line runs through rough, Israeli planes frequently fly over Abbad Hill, the proximity and potential inhospitable mountain terrain in places, Lebanon in violation of the Blue Line for friction is a daily risk that UN abuts roads and houses in other and Lebanese sovereignty. peacekeepers have to watch for and locations and, in one case at the village Incidents that peacekeepers have to deal with. of Ghajar, slices right through it. Israel deal with include stone throwing from At Sheikh Abbad Hill, Muslim has built a fence south of the Blue Line. the Lebanese side, shepherds straying worshippers come to pray, In places the two are adjacent and in across the Blue Line and sometimes detained by Israeli troops before being released through UNIFIL to Lebanon and drug dealers on both sides exchanging goods and money in bags tossed over the fence. In one recent case, a mentally disturbed Israeli man was arrested by Lebanese authorities after crossing into Lebanon and was released and repatriated through UNIFIL. Drainage water pumped across the Blue Line recently caused an incident between Lebanon and Israel at Kafer Kila. To resolve a dispute over the Israeli pumping of rain water over the fence onto a Lebanese road, UNIFIL designed and built a canal to collect water and manage drainage without having to cause difficulties to both sides.

Samir F. Ghattas UNIFIL Public Information Issue 06 Jan. 10 10 11 The Blue Line UNIFIL patrols the Blue Line and, in coordination with the parties, has commenced visibly marking the LINE. Issue 06 Jan. 10 mountains ofsoutheastLebanon. near thevillageofKfarShoubain man-made pondforcattletodrinkfrom Lebanon andIsraelcentered overasmall, its intricacies,arecent dispute between than 60-year-old Arab-Israeliconflictand Never mindthelanddisputes,more But aspects UNIFILismandatedto ensure. 1701, theimplementationofwhose military a violationofUNSecurityCouncil resolution betweenLebanonandIsrael,is Withdrawal Crossing rein itin. were lookingfortheownerofherd to it withtheIsraeliauthoritieswhosaidthey complained toUNIFILanddiscussed Lebanese authorities,thearmy The for shepherds inthedrysummerseason. pond, asource offresh waterthatiscrucial were crossing intoLebanontodrinkfrom the Lebanese international deal. by UNpeacekeepersinbetweenit’sabig, Lebanese andaflashpointfrontierguarded when thecowsareIsraeli, thewatersourceis an event, orevenbeinganissue, but exciting so sound not Cattle fetchingwatermay Kfar Shouba,Lebanon- the BlueLine… the pondand The cows, are unaccompanied byanyIsraeli Blue Lineforwater of cowscrossing Lebanese complain the Lebaneseshepherds complainedto cows, numberingafewdozen, theBlueLine,Lineof

have complainedthatIsraelicows 12 13 situation. helped defuseapotentiallyexplosive peacekeeping becausethearrangement as anachievementformediation and mid-September inwhatcanbe described Work on the fence guarded theconstructionsite. fence tostrengthen it.Armoured carriers pouring cementonthebaseof sun inlateAugustandearlySeptember, engineering unittoiledinthemidday gates. Troops from aSpanishcombat restricting accesstothewaterthree build a200-meterfencearound thepond, On cattle andthepondinbetween. Line, andLebaneseshepherds, Israeli army positionfacingitacross theBlue hilltop Israelimilitaryoutpost,aLebanese reduce thepotentialforfriction betweena with localauthoritiesonaplanthatwould from Israel,thepeacekeepers worked to forcefully sendbackthe cattlecoming While between theparties,intervened. of itsefforts toliaiseand trytomediate The Lebanese are concerned, fresh water. SoasfartheLebanese leave ontheirown,lured to thelocationby shepherd. Theycomeontheir ownand Lebaneserequest, UN itwas Interim Force in cattle. not practicableforUNIFIL Lebanese waterisfor was completed UNIFILagreed to Lebanon, aspart around Yury Kushko winds ofMiddleEastpolitics. of thirstyIsraelicattleandthe deadly UNIFIL fencecanwithstandthe pressure So it cattle. they willcrashthefence,”shesaidof said thepeacekeeperatsite.“Maybe “I don’t stop thecows. aboutwhetherthefence can concerned A Spanish couple ofhillsdownfrom thepond. in his50sasheherded some50goatsa Lebanese. “Itisagoodidea,”saidtheman satisfied theproject wouldhelpthe A Kfar Shoubashepherd saidhewas to Lebanesepond to controlaccess UNIFIL buildsfence remains to know whatwillhappentomorrow,” UNIFIL UNIFIL PublicInformation be seenwhetherthe soldier, however, was Ramadan at UNIFIL UNIFIL soldiers observe Ramadan while performing duties At Tiry, Lebanon - The French and Malaysian soldiers have a common duty of peacekeeping as part of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon. But some soldiers also had something else to share in August and September this year - the Ramadan fasting and the Iftar meals. Many UNIFIL soldiers who are from the with the Eid el-Fitr holiday, a three-day Muslim faith have observed Ramadan like event that sees families joining for meals, most Lebanese Muslims, particularly in exchanging gifts and gathering in public The most difficult southern Lebanon where the majority of parks where children play on swings and the population is Muslim. Ferris wheels. This is also the time to part of the holy But the dawn-to-dusk fasting did not remember the dead by visiting the graves month is for affect the peacekeepers’ duties or of loved ones on the first day of Eid. performance, officers say. For UNIFIL peacekeepers, Ramadan soldiers to be The holy month has even brought some is different because the peacekeeping away from family closer together, such as the sharing of force still has to perform its duties, prayers and meals between French and including assisting Lebanese army troops Malaysian peacekeepers at this south in maintaining security in the area of French soldiers to a special Malaysian Lebanon village. operations between the Litani River and dinner: rice, spicy chicken or fish. the Blue Line. In At Tiry, a village west of the town of Bint For the French soldiers, sharing their Jbail, French and Malaysian soldiers of French Lieutenant Olivier says the meal with the Malaysians was a good operational activity of soldiers did not UNIFIL work a few hundred meters apart, opportunity to get to know the customs change during Ramadan and the soldiers but Ramadan has provided an opportunity of the East. Corporal Benabid used of the French battalion continued their for them to discover their respective his bare hands to eat a meal, like his regular patrols. She also asserts that every cultures and their underlying similarities. Malaysian hosts, in order to feel closer Muslim in the French battalion could fast During the month of Ramadan on the during the Ramadan period and this did to their tradition and to meld in. Islamic calendar, Muslims take a break not interfere in their daily work. The most difficult part of the holy month, from worldly matters and focus on Captain Eurieult said French soldiers however, is for soldiers to be away from spiritual cleansing. Muslims abstain from family. For Malaysian Major Rizal, for eating, drinking water, smoking, and any observed Ramadan and performed their tasks at the same time. example, the hardest part was not being excessive indulgences from dawn to with his little boy for the Eid el-Fitr feast. dusk every day. While some Muslim soldiers of the French As for non-Muslim soldiers, many respect They break the fast at sunset, which is battalion ended up having their Iftars in a truck, others were able to share a meal the Ramadan tradition by refraining the time to pray and reflect. Families from eating, drinking or smoking in the usually gather around lavish meals of with the Malaysian contingent. company of the fasting soldiers. Some soup, salad and main dishes, watch Every night during Ramadan, many also shared the Iftar with the Muslim television or participate in call-in shows Muslim soldiers answered the call to peacekeepers. specially produced for Ramadan, and prayer and gathered at a mosque to stay awake until predawn hours for perform the recitation of the Quran by Nayla Eid, a Lebanese television correspondent, prayer and a last meal before fasting for means of special prayers called Tarawih. contributed this article while preparing her own the rest of the day. The month is closed Then the Malaysian contingent invited the report on Ramadan with UNIFIL The de-miners

Chamaa, Lebanon - The tools are simple - a metal prodding stick, a metal detector and a pair of alert eyes - but the task is monumental: clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance from south Lebanon, a land long buffeted by conflict. For de-miners of the Italian contingent of and we have to concentrate,” he said. UNIFIL, it’s a milestone. “It’s the first time Adding to the difficulties is that mines the abroad after the Second World War,” as de-miners are working to clear can be as Captain Andrea Cementi of the Italian “I like this job. small as 13 centimeters long and weighing Engineering unit pointed out about his just under half a kilogram. And minefields country’s de-mining effort. I like the dangerous can be old, some dating back to the 1980s, UNIFIL’s humanitarian de-mining and can be affected by weather conditions life” Lieutenant Marianna Calo contributions are despite the fact that or shifted by soil erosion over the years. UNIFIL’s mine-clearing resources have been provided only for operational purposes, The work of de-miners is arduous. A i.e. to undertake mine clearance activities de-miner would first carefully remove a 32,000 unexploded ordnances (UXOs) necessary to facilitate UNIFIL's deployment crust of the dirt five centimeters deep by and mines in southern Lebanon. UNIFIL and operations. However, UNIFIL has been 1 meter wide for an initial check. Then a currently has five de-mining units from five additionally deploying de-mining assets to de-miner digs with tools an additional 15 national contingents - China, France, Italy, help protect the civilian population from the centimeters deep. If a mine is found, it is Spain and Belgium. marked and ordnance disposal teams are danger of unexploded ordnances and to But even in UNIFIL’s area of operations called in to blow it up. facilitate their safe access to dwellings and south of the Litani river in south Lebanon, fields to the extent possible. One of the tasks of the Italian de-mining unit the UN is no longer the lead agency for Of the 250-member Italian Engineering these days is to cut through a minefield to de-mining, a role that is now with the contingent based in Chamaa in the hills open a lane for peacekeepers to be able to Lebanese Mine Action Centre (LMAC). approach a section of the Blue Line - the northeast of the southern Lebanese During 2002–2008, mine clearance in withdrawal line between Lebanon and Israel coastal village of Naqoura, where UNIFIL southern Lebanon was coordinated - in order to mark it with visible blue signs to has its headquarters, only 16 are directly by the UN Mine Action Coordination prevent inadvertent violations. entrusted with the difficult task of de- Centre for South Lebanon (UNMACC- mining since April. They have already cleared a corridor of 18 SL) as a partnership between the United Among them is Lieutenant Marianna Calo, metres deep and two metres wide inside a Nations and the Lebanese Armed Forces. a mine-clearing supervisor on her first minefield and they need to move another 18 UNMACC coordinated the clearance of mission abroad. “I like this job. I like the more metres before branching near the Blue more than 40 million square metres of dangerous life,” she said, although the Line in two opposite directions to reach the the contaminated areas through the joint young Italian added she misses her family, spots where the Blue Line will be marked efforts of the Lebanese Armed Forces, particularly her twin brother. 300 metres apart. UNIFIL and international clearance organizations. Cementi said two operators work on The mine-clearing team of the Italian duty in a minefield for 20 minutes at a contingent has cleared 60,000 square At the beginning of 2009, the mine time. Considerations of stress, loss of metres of land, including 3,100 unexploded clearance coordination authority was concentration and eye fatigue, plus the cluster bombs, since November 2006. In transitioned to LMAC and UNMACC-SL strain from protective gear weighing 18 all, UNIFIL de-mining teams have to date has since been integrated into UNIFIL. kilograms a piece are taken into account. cleared more than 4.7 million square metres “In a minefield we have to be patient, calm, of affected land and destroyed more than Samir F. Ghattas UNIFIL Pulic Information

Issue 06 Jan. 10 Issue 06 Jan. 14 15 Secretary General's Message for UN Day 2009

On this United Nations Day and every day throughout the year, the United Nations is at work - for the planet, for jobs, for “we the peoples”. UNIFIL Force Commander presents certificate to Lebanese staff in recognition of long years of service We deliver more humanitarian aid than anyone - and to the toughest places. We vaccinate 40 per cent of the world’s children. We feed more UNIFIL honours than 100 million people and are helping more than 30 million refugees, most of them women and children fleeing war and persecution. We its own on UN Day are deploying more peacekeepers than ever Naqoura, Lebanon - Julio Ghafary was 20 “All our activities in the service of peace and - more than 115,000. In the last year alone, when he joined UNIFIL in 1978, so it was security in southern Lebanon could not be we provided electoral assistance to almost befitting for his long service to be recognized implemented without the cooperation of the 50 countries. And the entire UN system has on UN Day. Lebanese Armed Forces,” he said. mobilized to face global economic turmoil and the social unrest it threatens. He is one of more than a dozen Lebanese “Nobody knows better than me the key staff members who received the honours role they are playing with us, shoulder to People look to the United Nations to defeat for service of 25 or 30 years with UNIFIL shoulder. Their success is our success,” poverty and hunger, to keep the peace, to during a ceremony marking the 64th United Major-General Graziano said. expand education and stand up for human Nations Day held on 23 October 2009 at rights in every corner of the globe. They look Ghafary, speaking to Al-Janoub after the UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura. to us to stop the spread of deadly weapons ceremony, recalled how he first started and disease, and to protect people and families Force Commander Major-General Claudio working as a contractor in the Procurement hit by disasters. In December, they will look Graziano presented certificates to the Section with a fixed term of a few weeks to us to seal a comprehensive, equitable and long-serving staff members. He also when UNIFIL itself was four months and 12 congratulated all the military and civilian days old. ambitious deal on climate change that will personnel who have served in UNIFIL since protect us all and pave the way toward a the establishment of the mission in 1978. “It’s been 31 years, two months and 24 greener, more sustainable economy. days since and still going,” said Ghafary, 51. “Their professionalism and unwavering This is a unique moment in world affairs. dedication to service has been vital for “We lived through the good times and bad Multiple crises - food, fuel, financial, flu - are implementation of UNIFIL’s mandate,” times, although the sweet ones were rare,” hitting at once. Climate change looms larger he said. he said, referring to the decades of conflict every day. Each illustrates a 21st-century truth: with Israel. Representatives of the Lebanese Armed we share one planet, one home. As people, as Forces, Lebanese authorities, NGOs, UN The region of southern Lebanon has been a nations, as a species, we sink or swim together. battleground for more than three decades. Agencies and the international community The United Nations is doing its utmost to Since the 2006 deployment of a reinforced attended the ceremony. UN Day marks the respond - to address the big issues, to look UNIFIL, the situation on the ground has founding of the United Nations with the entry at the big picture. We are forging a new been generally calm, the longest such into force of the United Nations Charter on multilateralism that can deliver real results for period in years. 24 October 1945. all people, especially those most in need. But During the ceremony, Major-General Abdalla Farah, who joined UNIFIL in 1979 in I am also painfully aware of the distance to go Graziano inspected an honour guard drawn the Receiving Inspection Material Section, and the gap between commitment and action. from UNIFIL’s various contingents. credited UNIFIL with contributing to the A Ghanaian military band played the UN and development and security in southern On this UN Day, let us resolve to redouble Lebanese anthems and soldiers raised the Lebanon. our efforts on behalf of the vulnerable, the powerless, the defenceless. Let us stand more flags of contingents at the Cenotaph “I started with a six-month contract and to the sound of trumpets. united than ever - united in purpose and united that has turned into 31 years,” he told in action to make the world a safer, better place. The Force Commander praised the Al-Janoub. “If it wasn’t for UNIFIL, there Lebanese Armed Forces for its cooperation would be no life in this area,” the 52-year-old Ban Ki-moon and key role in the area. Lebanese said. Bint Jbail:

Bint Jbail Rises Destroyed south Lebanon town back alive thanks to its people, aid and peace Bint Jbail is a name etched in history. The south Lebanon town near the border with Israel has been around for many centuries, a crossroad and a flourishing regional market for Lebanon, Syria and Palestine. In its more recent history, the town has survived decades of fighting, bombardment, Israeli occupation and emigration, al- ways emerging as a symbol of the resilience of the southern Lebanese population. The 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah here, including remains of a stone engraved left the town in ruins. Thirty eight residents with the writing: “This is the Lord’s house”. were killed and 1,800 housing units There are also two water wells - Hara and completely destroyed, including 600 in the Tartella - strange names of unknown origin. historic part dating back more than three There is an old mosque in town with a sign centuries, and 1,200 partially damaged, that says the mosque was renovated in according to Mayor Afif Bazzi. 1134 Hijri, about 300 years ago. A major reconstruction drive has restored Bint Jbail has borne the brunt of the some 80 percent of the town three years Arab-Israeli conflict. Its role as a market after the cessation of hostilities, thanks to hub declined as borders were shut and support from the Gulf Arab state of Qatar, Palestinian guerrilla factions bent on the mayor added. fighting Israel moved in. Located inland on a hill about 850 meters People switched to planting tobacco for a above sea level, Bint Jbail’s mild weather living. After the Lebanese civil war erupted and location attracted merchants. “The in 1975, the shoe industry found a foothold Thursday market” was the place to do in Bint Jbail as factories in the Beirut area of UNIFIL in 2006, those forces have played business, said Mustafa Bazzi, a university closed. Then Israel’s 1978 invasion of a very large role not only in humanitarian aid professor and Bint Jbail native. The southern Lebanon forced its people to and reconstruction but also in providing for market lured the population of nearby seek refuge in Beirut or emigrate abroad, the people an atmosphere of security and villages and towns as well to sell their an exodus that sharply increased after the safety.” Israeli invasion of 1982 and the 18-year agricultural and other products. UNIFIL’s humanitarian efforts such as occupation that ensued. It is not clear where the name “Bint Jbail” building a fresh water network, equipping came from or who gave the town that The mayor says that about 100 inhabitants a children’s playground and establishing a description. The most common story is that were killed and another 100 detained during hospital are highly appreciated, he added. long ago a princess from Jbail, a coastal this time. Bazzi said that whereas UNIFIL may not be area 45 kilometers north of Beirut known in Of Bint Jbail’s 50,000 residents, only 5,000 able to prevent another aggression against Western culture as Byblos, settled the area. live in town. A large number of the 35,000 Lebanon, "but through their presence we Another story says that the town was who left Lebanon reside in Detroit, Michigan, feel they are part of us and what happens to named Bint Jbail, or “daughter of the mini- where they established a program of us happens to them.” mountain”, because it is located on the donations to help the town and the needy. “We await the day when we will live in smallest of four hills in the area. There are A construction boom since 2000 after the peace and security and we won’t need other accounts, including a biblical one that end of the occupation turned to bust with UNIFIL forces, but rather welcome them in describes it as “the daughter of the sun”. the 2006 war. our houses as guests and tourists,” he said. There were some Byzantine ruins found Mayor Afif Bazzi said: “With the strengthening Sultan Sleiman UNIFIL Civil Affairs

Issue 06 Jan. 10 Issue 06 Jan. 16 17

Savouring south Lebanese tradition Naqoura, Lebanon - Naziha Darwish Jomaa was busy explaining to cus- tomers surrounding her stand the kinds of fruit jams and pickles that are pro- duced in her native Bint Jbail. Down the hall, pottery craftsman Jihad Esber spun the wheel with his foot to mould a pot from clay while lamenting a waning in- dustry in Rachaya al-Foukhar. They introduced their goods at the first and very soon Rachaya al-Foukhar will be festival of traditional Lebanese food and Rachaya but without the Foukhar,” said handicraft to be held in UNIFIL’s Naqoura the 47-year-old man, wearing a traditional The event serves to headquarters. Agricultural and handicraft thick cap and working his wooden wheel introduce local culture societies and cooperatives from Bint Jbail, to create a pottery mould. and financially support Khiyam, Aitaroun, Aita Shaab, Hallusiyeh, Scores of customers swarmed around a Rachaya al-Foukhar, Deir Qanoun Ras al- buffet offering traditional food, including Lebanese families Ein, Ein Ebel, Srifa and Qana took part. southern specialities like the Freekeh dish, The festival was an opportunity for and stopped at around 10 stands, which mon with Lebanese … A lot of the flavour southern villagers to offer their products to offered a variety of goods for sale, including and taste in food is similar to Sicilian,” UNIFIL peacekeepers and staff stationed at the Manousheh (Lebanese bread pie of said Ristuccia, Chief of the Special Staff for headquarters and to earn money. thyme and olive oil) that was freshly baked on an oval hot metal plate by village women. UNIFIL’s Force Commander. Jomaa, 42, patiently answered enquiries Malak Hijazi, the UNDP field officer in about her products, which ranged from Ryszard Morczynski, head of UNIFIL’s Civil Marjayoun-Hasbaya area, stood at the pickled hot pepper to dried herbs such Affairs section which organized the festival hall’s entrance collecting 10,000 Lebanese as cumin and homemade fruit jams. “We along with the UN Development Program, Lira ($6.7) a head for the buffet, money have dried figs, whole figs, fig jam and fig said Civil Affairs have noticed what south- that goes to the participating agricultural molasses,” she said, proudly explaining the ern families are producing and that they cooperatives. diversity of her products that are made from needed access to the market. the same ingredients. “It is a sort of small effort to introduce the Yousra El-Ghorayeb, the UNDP officer in south Lebanon who organized the event on Esber, the pottery craftsman from local culture to the (UNIFIL) force members and it is also a small step towards economic behalf of the agency, said the aim was to Rachaya al-Foukhar, the village in south empower women in the south, give them eastern Lebanon named for its pottery support” for Lebanese families, he said in an interview. an opportunity to market their products, works (Foukhar in Arabic means pottery), allow peacekeepers a taste of local cuisine said that in addition to being an opportunity “This kind of food is not available in and strengthen relations between the to sell some of the plates, pots and candle a restaurant or a supermarket. This is peacekeepers and the local community. holders that he had made, the event also authentic,” added Civil Affairs Officer was a chance to air frustration over the Rola Bzeih. And it was a success. fate of pottery moulding and attempts to Colonel Angelo Ristuccia likened what he “I was amazed by the big number of UNIFIL revive the trade. saw in handicraft and other products to soldiers and civilians who came here, at their According to him, in the 1970's his village his home region in Italy, which shares with own initiative, because they were curious to had some 80 pottery manufacturers. Lebanon the Mediterranean Sea. see, taste and experience it,” she said. “Since then, regretfully there are only two “A lot of Italians have some roots in com- Zeina Ezzeddine UNIFIL Public Information Issue 06 Jan. 10 of theLitaniRiver. “UNIFIL’s missionisto is basedinthearea ofoperationssouth 11th BrigadeoftheLebanese army, which General SadeqTleiss,commander ofthe advanced thantheother,” saidBrigadier- progress, andeachexercise ismore “ positioning systemsandradars. opportunity tocalibratetheguns, more technicallevel,itisalsoanother Litani RiverandtheBlueLine.Ona in thearea ofoperationsbetweenthe army’s strategicpartnershipwithUNIFIL just anotherexampleoftheLebanese operations toensure battlereadiness is The headquarters. near theBlueLine,justsouthofUNIFIL It washeldon3SeptemberatNaqoura Lebanese armyandthepeacekeepers. and mutualknowledgebetweenthe dubbed, wastomaintaintheefficiency exercise involvingabout100 soldierswas The directed machinegunfireatthetargets. armoured personnelcarrierfiredmachinegunbursts;thenaUNIFIL and UNIFIL’sMaritimeTaskForcepatrolledtheterritorialwaters.ALebanese and tookuppositions,openingwithflaresliveshells.LebaneseNavy lobbing theirshellstowardtargetsatsea,UNIFIL’smobile155-mmguns rumbled Naqoura, Lebanon - support theLebanese armyinitsmission We Lebanese soldiers taking part in joint military exercisewithUNIFILinsouthLebanon. Lebanese soldierstakingpartinjointmilitary aimof“NeptuneThunder,” asthejoint coordination offire support are withUNIFILcertainlyinconstant 18 19 UNIFIL andLebaneseArmyinjointsouthLebanon exercise Aiming…

As the Lebanese army’s coastal howitzers thunderedaway, coastalhowitzers As theLebanesearmy’s part andtogether wecomplementeach take apartofthatjobandthey takea task ofacombatformationin which“we The equipment andexecutionlevels, hesaid. benefits oftheexercise onthetraining, There in thesouthandonsafeguarding security.” forces. “Andthisalsoreflects onthe region and UNIFILhaspositiveimplicationsforboth cooperation betweentheLebanesearmy Brigadier-General with theLebanesearmy. strengthen cooperation region. Theintention,headded,isto the interest ofpeace of theLebanese exercise aimed Major-General Graziano, UNIFIL’s commander. exercise, includingMajor-General Claudio and UNIFILofficerswhoobservedthe Tleiss and weare workingonthis basis.”

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UNIFIL PublicInformation Leclerc tank UNIFIL launches a new TV series called DISCOVER UNIFIL These 10-minute documentaries provide a special insight into UNIFIL's activities and especially its peacekeepers. 9 episodes are planned, 4 of which have already been broadcast on Lebanese TV stations: NewTV, NBN and Tele Liban. Each new episode is announced through 30-second promotions broadcast days in advance. If you missed an episode, you can watch it on YouTube, Facebook and our new UNIFIL website.

NAQOURA MARITIME UNIFIL THE BLUE CAMP TASK FORCE DE-MINERS LINE

Join us on the Internet YouTube: www.youtube.com/UNIFILVIDEOUNIT On our youtube channel you can watch the latest DISCOVER UNIFIL episodes and all of our other video productions, including "Journey Through UNIFIL with Rafic Ali Ahmad". Subscribe to our channel to be notified when we upload new productions. Facebook: page: UNIFIL-PIO Our facebook page is specifically meant to announce UNIFIL's public information products. DISCOVER UNIFIL's latest episodes are all available in high quality video. Become a "fan" of UNIFIL-PIO (all capital letters) and be alerted the moment we upload a new episode. Tell us what you think by posting a comment and invite your friends to become fans. UNIFIL's new mission website - unifil.unmissions.org We also invite you to visit our new mission website in English and Arabic. Here you can read about UNIFIL's history, get all the latest information on the mission and its current activities and check out our photo galleries or any edition of Al-Janoub magazine.

Also introducing UNIFIL's website in English and Arabic

www.unifil.unmissions.org