Issue 17 Jul
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For Free Distribution Not For Sale July 2015 - no.17 UNIFIL Civil Affairs donated sound and light equipment to Tyros for Arts association. Around one hundred youth from eleven schools participated in theatre, cinema, poetry and arts workshops. The students displayed their artwork on 15 June at Istanbouli theatre in al-Hamra Cinema, in Tyre. Editorial I would like to welcome you to the Environment edition of “Al-Janoub” magazine. This issue specifically shines the spotlight discussed coordination with the UN agencies on the significant strides being made by the in Lebanon, and UNIFIL, in particular, and the Lebanese Government and UNIFIL to ensure challenges facing the ministry in implementing the adoption of improved environmental its mandate. practices, particularly in the UNIFIL area of Operations. We hope the content will draw With increased emphasis on good environmental attention to several important initiatives. practices, this issue of “Al-Janoub” emphasizes the ‘Greening the South’ initiative. The ambitious The focus on the environment has a poignant project spearheaded by the Environment ministry meaning for us. It comes at a time when the and UNIFIL was launched this year by myself and international community is calling for action the Environment Minister in South Lebanon, and to boost environmental management and will continue into next year, until 300,000 trees protection. UNIFIL commits itself to avoiding, are planted in the mission area of operations. reducing or mitigating any negative impact At UNIFIL, the Environmental Management on humans and the environment, which System continues to be a very effective tool might result from the mission’s operations. for enhancing its environmental status. This The mission is keen to improve environmental year, UNIFIL has set itself the goal of saving compliance and give due consideration resources, focusing specifically on water. throughout its life cycle to the development I would like to emphasise that each one of of new sites, positions and projects, as well us in the mission has a role to play and can as the implementation of measures related contribute to the overall success by being to withdrawals, closure of facilities and a role model and setting an example for liquidations. In order to create a positive the local community to respect and value reflection of UNIFIL’s image among South the environment, by not only reducing our Lebanon’s population, we are increasing the environmental footprint, but also assisting environmental sustainability of our operations. the Lebanese to follow suit. The visit of the Lebanese Minister of Lastly, managing environmental threats will Environment to the mission has been require new global, regional, national and instrumental to highlight priorities of the local responses incorporating a wide range Ministry of Environment for the coming of stakeholders. I am convinced that our year. With the Minister we also discussed partnership with the Ministry of Environment the importance of taking into account is a step in the right direction. the role of the various actors in ensuring good environmental governance. We Enjoy reading UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Luciano Portolano CONTENTS Editorial 3 Chronicle 5 Together in the face of challenges 6 | 7 ‘Al-Janoub’ is published by UNIFIL Office Interview: 8 | 9 of Public Information Lebanese Environment Minister outlines priorities Publisher Editorial support Imran Riza Adib Al Moussa World Environment Day 2015 10 | 11 Editor-in-Chief Photographers Andrea Tenenti Pasqual Gorriz Marcos Senior Editor and Suzane Badereddine Editorial Advisor Dany Ghafary ‘Greening the South’ initiative 12 Antonette Miday Contributors Senior editors Greta Isac Joumana Sayegh Hiba Monzer New radars expand Lebanese Navy capabilities Greta Isac Yury Kushko 13 Editorial Advisor Sultan Suleiman Greta Isac Dany Ghafary Hassan Siklawi Ghifar Charafeddine A day in the life of a LAF officer Production/Design Suzane Badereddine 14 Zeina Ezzeddine Zeina Ezzeddine Al-Janoub contact El-Mari’s lands are green again 15 Tel. +961 1 926 441 Email [email protected] +961 1 926 442 Fax +961 1 827 016 Lighting the south 16 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. Did you know? 17 Armenia The logo ‘ ’ is a calligraphic representation of the word Al-Janoub in Arabic Ensuring water for the future 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. Chronilcle UNIFIL marks International Day of UN Peacekeepers First Aid course for women A ceremony held at UNIFIL Mohamed Janbay, representing appreciation to the Lebanese Naqoura HQ was organised to the Lebanese Armed Forces Armed Forces and security observe the International Day of Commander, laid wreaths at organisations, “Their strategic UN Peacekeepers on 29 May. the cenotaph in memory of partnership is key to UNIFIL’s Head of Mission and Force the 308 UNIFIL peacekeepers success in the implementation Commander, Major-General who have lost their lives in the of resolution 1701. I remain Luciano Portolano, reviewed line of duty in South Lebanon. firmly committed to coordinating an honour guard and, together Major-General Luciano our operational activities on the with Brigadier-General Portolano expressed deep ground and at sea with them.” UNIFIL and LAF run for Nepal A course on First Aid for Domestic Accidents targeting On 9 June, UNIFIL German women was held in Marjayoun contingent, led by Lieutnant early this year. Colonel Johann Schenk, organised a sports event The course which is part of a at UNIFIL Headquarters Gender Training initiative was to express support and organized by UNIFIL’s regional contribute to the recovery Civilian Military cooperation unit of Nepal from the recent led by the Spanish contingent, devastating earthquake on in collaboration with the Office 24 April. A number of UNIFIL of the Ministry of Social Affairs Nepalese troops suffered of Marjayoun, chaired by Mrs. personal losses. Civilian and Maya Hasbani. military participants were joined by representatives of Around 20 women from the Lebanese Army in different Marjayoun and nearby towns sports activities including an attended the course, which 8-kilometer run. was presented by Dr. Boris Deputy Head of Mission Imran Lauzel, a medical officer from Riza flagged off the race. El Salvador, who responded to their questions on health and first aid matters. Participants UNIFIL conducts police training also received a first-aid kit to practice and demonstrate the A six-day police training, the cars, and dealing with suspects skills learnt during the course. first of its kind, was conducted and traffic accidents. by UNIFIL Military Police for Deputy Mayor of Tyre Municipality, The course was well received by seventeen municipal policemen Haj Salah Sebrawi said, “This the local community and showed from Tyre. The training covered training demonstrated the potential for implementation in different topics including professionalism of the Carabinieri other towns in UNIFIL’s area of communication techniques, team, which in turn will be operations. coordination, discipline, reflected on the performance of different types of patrols, our policemen. It will contribute Lt. Col. Jose Manuel Gonzalez- proximity policing, crime scene to greater overall satisfaction for Spinola San Gil - recognition methods, searching the people in Tyre.” Sector East Military PIO Together in the face of challenges The following pages reflect the existing cooperation and coordination between the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL. The material is taken from letters by the Lebanese Army Commander, General Jean Kahwaji, and UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Luciano Portolano to their respective troops. Issue 17 Jul. 15 Issue 17 Jul. 6 7 General Jean Kahwaji You are the real feast “Unfortunately, it has lost some of its Finally, the Army Commander greeted bravest officers and soldiers. Our thoughts A salute to the Army’s heroes the Army’s military and civilian personnel, go to the bereaved families who have lost Commenting on the ongoing war between particularly the troops deployed on the loved ones and we hope for the speedy the Army and terrorism, General Kahwaji borders from the South to Arsal through recovery of the wounded. said that the danger still exists, noting that Ras Baalbek and all the way to the North, terrorists are waiting for any opportunity to saying, “You are our heroes. You are I hope that the coming year brings more deal a blow, but the Army stands on the Lebanon’s real feast. Had it not been for peace and stability on the Lebanese lookout for them. you, there would be no feast or homeland,” territories, more joy and prosperity to every home and every family,” he added. “We are confident that we will win thanks to General Kahwaji also saluted the officers the strength of the Army and the overwhelming and personnel of the Army Command who Strategic