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United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

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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.<ref name = "UNSup5">Extracts relating to Article 98 of the Charter of the United Nations: Supplement No 5 (1970 - 1978) (PDF). Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs pp. §275–279. United Nations. Retrieved on 2006-08-06. </ref> 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).<ref name = "UNSup5" />

During the 1982 Lebanon War, UN positions were overrun, primarily by the de facto forces under Saad Haddad. These were the indigenous Lebanese forces supported by the IDF.<ref name = "UNsup6">Extracts relating to Article 98 of the Charter of the United Nations: Supplement No 6 (1979 - 1984) (PDF). Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs pp. §185–§199. United Nations. Retrieved on 2006-08-06. </ref> During the occupation, UNIFIL's function was mainly to provide humanitarian aid.<ref name = "UNsup6" /> Beginning in 1985, Israel scaled back its permanent positions in Lebanon, although this process was punctuated by brief invasions and bombings, as in Operation Accountability in 1993 and Operation Grapes of Wrath in 1996. In 1999, Israel undertook a 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. 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legal sanction to armed anti-Israeli groups in Lebanon (though the UN has officially certified that Israel has fully withdrawn from all areas it occupied after 1973).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, 2007. <ref> BBC News Text: UN Lebanon resolution Retrieved on 2006-08-12</ref>

Contents

[edit] 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:

[edit] 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.”<ref>The Times UN plans for 15,000 peacekeepers as Israel expands ground offensive - World - Times Online Retrieved on 2006-08-13</ref> On August 27, 2006 United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that UNIFIL would not intercept arms shipments from Syria, unless requested to do so by the Government of Lebanon.

[edit] Troop status

Image:DAF YP 408 UNIFIL.jpg

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.<ref>United Nations [1] Retrieved on 2006-11-3</ref> Its annual budget is about US$100 million. UNIFIL is currently led by French Major-General Alain Pellegrini, formerly French military attaché in Beirut and head of the Middle East Division of the Service de Documentation Extérieure et de Contre-Espionnage.

To date UNIFIL has suffered 258 fatalities: 249 military personnel, 2 military observers, 3 international civilian staff, and 4 local staff.

[edit] 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 and for treating Israeli and Hezbollah ceasefire breaches equally. Prior to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict of July 2006, Israel had been lobbying for UNIFIL to either take a more active role vis-a-vis Hezbollah (for example, preventing Hezbollah from stationing near UNIFIL posts to fire at the IDF and into northern Israel) or to step out of the region (thereby voiding the Lebanese government’s excuse for not deploying Lebanese Armed Forces along the border).<ref>Haaretz Israel accuses UN of collaborating with Hezbollah Retrieved 2006-10-28</ref>

UNIFIL has also been accused of siding with Israel, accusations which have become more common in milieus associated with Hezbollah since the passage of Resolution 1701; thus on October 16, 2006 Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah declared that the UN force had “come to protect Israel, not Lebanon”.

[edit] Conflict in 2006

See also: Attacks on United Nations personnel during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict

According to UNIFIL press releases, there have been dozens of such incidents of UN posts coming under fire during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.<ref>United Nations UNIFIL press releases</ref> In his 21 July 2006 report about the UNIFIL activities 21 January-18 July 2006, the UN Secretary-General stated that "Some Hezbollah positions remained in close proximity to United Nations positions, especially in the Hula area, posing a significant security risk to United Nations personnel and equipment."<ref>See paragraph 28 in Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (S/2006/560) Accessed 31 July 2206</ref>

  • An Israeli tank shell hit a UNIFIL position in southern Lebanon on Monday 24 July 2006, wounding four Ghananian soldiers. UNIFIL engineers from China repaired a road connecting Tyre and Naqoura previously destroyed by the Israelis.<ref>http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr09.pdf UNIFIL Press Release, Naqoura, 25 July 2006</ref>
  • Shrapnel from tank shells fired by the IDF seriously wounded an Indian soldier on 16 July 2006<ref>http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr01.pdf UNIFIL Press Release, Naqoura, 17 July 2006</ref>
  • On 25 July 2006 four 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<ref>UNIFIL Untitled Press Release 26 July 2006</ref> throughout the day despite communication<ref>Telegraph, Telegraph (UK) Article, 27 July 2006</ref> via telephone between the UN liaison and the IDF. Later, a rescue team was also shelled<ref>Reuters, Alertnet 26 July 2006</ref> as it tried to clear the rubble.

[edit] Casualties from Hezbollah fire

[edit] Reinforcements

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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.

[edit] 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 [5] [6].

On the 24 October 2006, a helicopter took off from a German frigate involved in the monitoring of Lebanon on behalf of the UN, and failed to exchange recognition signals with Isreali authorities. The helicopter was intercepted by Israeli fighters and forced back onto the ship [7] .

Two days later, Israeli planes flew over an unarmed intelligence ship of the German Navy, the Alster [8], stirring an international incident [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]. German authorities declared that the planes have fired shots at the ship and evaded launching flares. The Israeli, though denying that firing had occurred, acknowledged the incident and declared that no aggression was meant. Diplomatic activity resulted in a settlement, though none of the parties backed from its position.

On the 8th November 2006, French Minister of Defence Michèle Alliot-Marie declared that Israeli F-15 fighters had made mock attacks on French-manned UNIFIL positions ; "two seconds more, and firing would have occurred against the planes which directly threatened our forces". The incident, which occurred on the 31st of October, stirred a diplomatic incident, the Isreali ambassador in Paris being convened the next day for explanations ; he declared that the maneuver were "not aggressive" and that the French had "misunderstood" the intentions of the planes. A few hours before, the IDF had denied any knowledge of such an incident. A French officer declared that the Israeli fighter had "engaged in a mock attack. Thanksfully, our men kept their head cool and understood that it was a provocation of the Israeli army". [14] [15] [16]

[edit] 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
Image:Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium 394<ref name = "C" /><ref name="L">Expatica Communications Two Belgian generals to

serve on Lebanon mission[17] Accessed September 14, 2006</ref>

de-miners, medical and reconstruction teams<ref name = "L" />
Image:Flag of Brunei.svg Brunei 100<ref>Brudirect.com News Brunei Troops To Join Malaysia In Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref>Daily Express Accord on Trans-Borneo Highway Accessed September 14, 2006</ref>
Image:Flag of Bulgaria (bordered).svg Bulgaria 160<ref>Naharnet Bulgaria Approves Sending 160-Crew Frigate to Lebanon Accessed September 30, 2006</ref>
Image:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svgChina, People’s Republic of 1,000<ref>MonstersandCritics.com Lebanon latest hotspot as China deploys peacekeepers Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref name=H">Haaretz China to send as many as 1,000 peackeeping troops to Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> 200 engineers currently in Lebanon clearing mines and unexploded ordnance<ref name = "H" />
Image:Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark 50<ref name = "C" /><ref>Danish Navy 2 missilfartøjer men ingen korvet til Libanon Accessed October 2, 2006</ref> 2 patrol boats as force protection for German contingent
Image:Flag of Finland (bordered).svg Finland 250<ref name = "C" /><ref>Helsingin Sanomat President approves Lebanon force Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> reconstructing roads, bridges and other infrastructure destroyed<ref name="F">Herald Tribune Ireland to deploy 150 troops to United Nations force in Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006</ref>
Image:Flag of France.svg France 2,000<ref name = "A" /><ref name = "B" /> ground troops including 13 French Leclerc tanks<ref>Associated Press French Tanks Give Teeth to U.N. Force Accessed September 14, 2006</ref>; in charge of UNIFIL ground forces until February 2007<ref>Forbes France in Lebanon: the strength of hesitation Accessed September 14, 2006</ref>.
In addition, French Navy ships with 1,700 men are deployed off Lebanon in Opération Baliste, and assisting in UNIFIL operations.
Image:Flag of Germany.svg Germany 2,400<ref name = "G">MonstersandCritics.com Germany sends troops to Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref name="E">China Daily Germany oks Lebanon mission Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> naval ships to secure the Lebanese coast and prevent arms smuggling<ref name = "G" /><ref name = "E" />
Image:Flag of Ghana.svg Ghana
Image:Flag of Greece.svg Greece 176-196 Elli-class frigate, the HS Kanaris, to patrol against arms smugglers<ref name=kathimerini-09-09>"Greece begins its peacekeeping drive in Lebanon: Frigate has orders to fire if need be", Kathimerini, 2006-09-09.</ref>
Image:Flag of India.svg India 672<ref>IndianMuslims.info India to keep existing troops in UNIFIL for 'time being' Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref name="D">Raw Story Media, Inc. UN opens meeting on Lebanon troops Accessed September 14, 2006</ref>
Image:Flag of Indonesia (bordered).svg Indonesia 1,000<ref name="I">Raw Story Media, Inc. Indonesian soldiers off to Lebanon in late September Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref>Helsingin Sanomat Indonesian leader praises Finns for contribution to Aceh peace process Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> combat units, an engineering unit and logistics specialists<ref name = "I" />
Image:Flag of Ireland (bordered).svg Ireland 150<ref name = "F" /><ref>The Irish Times 150 Irish troops to join UN interim force in Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> perimeter protection for Finnish troops<ref name = "F" />
Image:Flag of Italy.svg Italy 3,000<ref name="A">EiTB24 Italian troops land in Lebanon strengthening renewed UNIFIL Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref name="B">FrontPageMagazine.com Making the Ceasefire Stick Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> ground troops; will assume charge of UNIFIL ground forces in February 2007<ref>ANSA Peacekeepers need political support Accessed September 14, 2006</ref>
Image:Flag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia 360<ref>Bernama.com[18]</ref><ref>Malaysia's Prime Minister's Office[19]</ref> Administrative(200) and patrol/quick reaction team (160; including commandos and special forces);
Image:Flag of Nepal.svg Nepal 850<ref name="J">Islamic Republic News Agency Nepal to send 850 troops to war torn Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref name="K">PeaceJournalism.com Annan Ends his Visit to Beirut after Touring War-Ravaged South Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> infantry battalion<ref name = "J" /><ref name = "K" />
Image:Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 150<ref name="M">Netherlands Ministry of Defence NEDERLANDS MARINESCHIP NAAR LIBANON Accessed October 2, 2006</ref> M-class frigate<ref name = "M" />
Image:Flag of Norway.svg Norway 100<ref name="M">Herald Tribune Norway to send four ships, crew to U.N. peacekeeping force for Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006</ref>

<ref>Sending MTBs Accessed October 2, 2006</ref>

naval ships to secure the Lebanese coast and prevent arms smuggling<ref name = "M" />
Image:Flag of Poland (bordered).svg Poland 500<ref>Raw Story Media, Inc. Poland to boost Lebanon UNIFIL force to 500 troops Accessed September 14, 2006</ref><ref name="C">Asian Tribune U.N. Force Looks More European, Less Multinational Accessed September 14, 2006</ref>
Image:Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal 140<ref>Naharnet Portuguese UNIFIL Troops to Head to Lebanon Next Week Accessed October 28, 2006</ref>
Image:Flag of Russia (bordered).svg Russia 400<ref name = "E" /><ref>Syrian Arab News Agency Russia Sends 1200 Soldiers to Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> rebuilding infrastructure<ref name = "E" />
Image:Flag of Spain.svg Spain 1,000<ref name = "A" /><ref>People's Daily Online Spanish troops hope to help speed up Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006</ref> "help speed up the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory", de-mining and beach cleaning<ref>Daily Star Western envoys discuss deployments to UNIFIL Accessed September 14, 2006</ref>
Image:Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden 40<ref name = "C" /><ref>Swedish armed forces HMS Gävle på väg søderut Accessed October 2, 2006</ref> 1 Göteborg class corvette
Image:Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey 495<ref name = "TW" >Turkish Weekly The Turkish UNIFIL Troops Set off for Lebanon Accessed November 9, 2006</ref> engineering unit to help rebuild damaged bridges and roads; Turkish naval frigate patrolling off the Lebanese coast<ref name = "TW" />
Image:Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine 1<ref name = "D" />
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.

[edit] Quotes

  • "We didn’t like very much UNIFIL which was very useless and very helpless. Look what happened. Did you hear of any particular efforts of the United Nations UNIFIL force in the south of Lebanon to prevent the attacks against Israel in the first place. So they were not useful and that is why we were unhappy with them." Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, August 2, 2006<ref>Times Online (UK) The Times interview with Ehud Olmert: full transcript Accessed August 3, 2006</ref>

[edit] Notes

<references/>

[edit] See also

[edit] Sources

[edit] External links

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