Issue 22 Sep 18 6 7 South Both Difficult and Dangerous
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For Free Distribution Not For Sale Sep 2018 - no.22 UNIFIL magazine In pursuit of lasting peace Drawing by Jamil Jaber Bazzi of Bint Jbeil Public School Editorial UNIFIL joins the UN family in Lebanon in paying tribute to the impressive life and legacy of former United Nations Secretary- Message from the Head of Mission and Force General Kofi Annan, Commander, Major General Stefano Del Col who passed away at the age of 80 on I am happy and honoured to be back in south Lebanon resolutions, most recently 2373 (2017) and 2433 (2018), 18 August 2018. for a third time. I have brought with me a book I received provide the umbrella that guides UNIFIL’s mission, that He was an ardent as a gift at the end of my 2008 tour as the Commander protects us as peacekeepers and, importantly, that proponent of peace of the Italian Battalion in Maarakeh. Inscribed on the book protects south Lebanon from the scourge of war. is: “Stefano, this is your second home, we will see you in south Lebanon. back in Lebanon.” We must recognize that UNIFIL is here for a purpose Following the end that serves the best interests of the people of south Having been back here first in 2014 as Sector West Lebanon. I want peacekeepers to fully respect the of the 2006 war in Commander in Shamaa and now as Head of Mission concerns and sensitivities of our host population. At south Lebanon, then and Force Commander, it indeed feels like Lebanon is the same time, we have a job to do, and I rely on the UN Secretary General a second home. understanding and support of the communities to Annan visited UNIFIL I am aware of the many challenges in implementing ensure that our mission is successfully accomplished. UNIFIL’s mandate, but have also been struck by the In leading the implementation of UNIFIL’s mission, I will Headquarters and continued support of the Lebanese interlocutors - be looking to the leadership of Lebanon, in particular especially our strategic partner, the Lebanese Armed the Mission’s area of of here in the south, as key and committed partners in Forces (LAF) - and the leadership in Beirut. operation, where he met this endeavour. Besides the Lebanese Armed Forces with UN peacekeeping UNIFIL plays a key role in the efforts of the international who we work closely with, I am looking forward to the troops serving for peace community to safeguard peace and security in this same spirit of partnership with other Lebanese security area. Working with the parties we have helped to further agencies – the General Security and the Internal in south Lebanon and stability along the Blue Line for over 12-years. Under Security Forces. called on all parties to my leadership, UNIFIL will continue to build on this momentum, and do everything within its power to help I am looking forward to the support of all of you in my role respect the cessation of ensure a climate of calm that benefits communities. as Head of Mission and Force Commander. I am confident hostilities and maintain that working alongside both civilian and military agencies, calm. He will remain an I will continue to lead UNIFIL along the path towards and with the communities themselves, we can secure a the implementation of our mandate under Security more promising future for the people of south Lebanon. inspiration for us all. Council resolution 1701. This and other associated UN Chronilcle Maj. Gen. Del Col of Italy at the helm of UNIFIL Some 3,500 projects At a ceremony attended by high- implemented since 2006 level dignitaries on 7 August 2018, Major General Stefano Del Col, of Editorial: Message from the Head of Mission and 3 Italy, assumed charge as Head of Mission and Force Commander Force Commander, Major General Stefano Del Col of UNIFIL from Major General Michel Beary, of Ireland. In his farewell speech, Maj. Gen. Chronicle 5 Beary expressed his hope that he will return at some time in the future to see “the fruits of our labours here, peace and UNIFIL was born out of crisis in 1978 | 6 7 prosperity for the Lebanese people.” He continued: “I have watched with admiration as ‘Al-Janoub’ is published by UNIFIL the LAF have steadily improved Former Irish Peacekeepers share 8 | 9 Office of Strategic Communications personal anecdotes their capability, demonstrating appointment was like coming in this endeavour in the spirit and Public Information their capacity to defend the back home. “I hope that we will of true partnership.” sovereign borders of Lebanon serve this mission in peace,” Maj. Gen. Del Col has had a long and to conduct operations here he told the invited guests in and distinguished career in the in the South with UNIFIL.” Six tours in south Lebanon Lt. Col. Nortey of 10 |11 Arabic before switching back to Publisher Zeina Ezzeddine Italian Army. Since 2015 till his English. “I will be looking to you, Imran Riza UNIFIL Sector East PIO Ghana talks about his service with UNIFIL since 1996 The incoming UNIFIL head, new appointment with UNIFIL, Maj. Gen. Del Col, who had the leadership of Lebanon and he was the Senior Deputy Chief Editors-in-Chief UNIFIL Sector West PIO UN archive served with UNIFIL in 2008 in particular here in the south, of the Cabinet Office of the Malene Kamp Jensen and 2014-2015, said his new as key and committed partners Minister of Defence. UNIFIL exhibition marks 40th anniversary Andrea Tenenti Infographic 12|16 Senior Editor (English) Zeina Ezzeddine In 2006, UNIFIL started Tilak Pokharel UNIFIL and LAF pay tribute to fallen peacekeepers Photo Editor How much do you know about UNIFIL? implementing Civil-Military Editor (Arabic) Zeina Ezzeddine 17 Cooperation (CIMIC) projects Joumana Sayegh to address some of the most Contributors pressing needs of the host Production/Design Lt. Col. Andrea Fazio population and support local Zeina Ezzeddine Community interaction to promote 18 |19 Andrea Tenenti authorities while strengthening Editorial Assistant Gen. Emmanuel Erskine peace and understanding the links between UNIFIL and Adib Al Moussa Capt. EK Methuselah local communities. Hiba Monzer Photographers From fixing a road to providing Maj. Leandro Giordano Hiba Monzer New Lebanese Army Centre 20 medical, dental or veterinary Pasqual Gorriz Marcos Maj. Gen. Micheal Beary to better serve communities assistance to educational MCOU Rania Bdeir courses or capacity-building, Tilak Pokharel Tilak Pokharel these projects are leaving their Tanzania imprint on the lives of people Al-Janoub contact Did you know? 21 in southern Lebanon. Tel. +961 1 926 441 Email [email protected] +961 1 926 442 Fax +961 1 827 016 At the end of June 2018, Within the span of 102 days, Army officials, and fellow the Ghana Armed Forces that some 3,470 such projects UNIFIL introduces 36-hour patrols Except where identified by the copyright symbol ©, articles 22|23 UNIFIL lost two dedicated peacekeepers paid tribute to cannot be filled. Corporal Mercy have been implemented at the in “Al-Janoub” may be reprinted without permission on peacekeepers this year, raising their dedicated service for peace had been the pride of Ghana and cost of $45.5 million. A large condition that two copies of the publication containing since 1978 the total number of in south Lebanon. In recognition was a role model to follow in a portion of the funding came the reprint are sent to the Editor-in-Chief of “Al-Janoub”. UNIFIL peacekeepers passing of their service to the cause UN Peacekeeping operation.” from some of UNIFIL’s key Serving for Peace in south Lebanon 24 |25 while serving for peace in south of international peace and troop-contributing countries The logo ‘ ’ is a calligraphic representation of the Lebanon to 314. security, both were honoured The commander of Indonesia (TCCs), including Italy, Spain word “Al-Janoub” in Arabic. posthumously with UNIFIL and Battalion Lt. Col. Arfan Johan and the Republic of Korea. Blue helmet returns to south Lebanon 26 Ghana’s Corporal Mercy Adade, Lebanese Armed Forces Medals. Wihananto said Corporal 36, and Indonesia’s Corporal Wahyudin was “a devoted While UNIFIL allocates Colour correction and printing: Raidy | www.raidy.com Ajat Wahyudin, 35, passed Lt. Col. William Nortey, who soldier, a loyal friend and a approximately $500,000 away on 5 April and 16 July was the commander of the wonderful father.” annually for such projects, respectively – both due to Ghanaian Battalion at the time Governments of some TCCs Disclaimer medical reasons. of Corporal Adade’s death Corporal Adade is survived by a donate approximately an 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, said: “Her loss has left a void son, while Corporal Wahyudin left additional $3 million annually 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 Senior UNIFIL and Lebanese in the Ghanaian Battalion and behind a wife and two children. or commercial processes constitute endorsement. through generous donations. Separately, Al Janoub’s Andrea Tenenti, Tilak Pokharel and Rania Bdeir spoke to General Erskine by phone to learn more about his personal reflections from the early days of UNIFIL. Here are the excerpts: UNIFIL’s first mandate: Look at the word “interim” in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. It was not expected to go beyond its first mandate of six months (when it was established on 19 March 1978).