United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

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UNIFIL base, 1981
UNIFIL Sisu Pasi in the snow, close to the Israeli border in South-Lebanon, 1998

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.[1] 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 withdrawal, which concluded in 2000 and enabled UNIFIL to resume its military tasks. The Lebanese government claims that the Shebaa farms area is Lebanese territory, although the UN considers it to be Syrian territory under Israeli military occupation. 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legal sanction to armed anti-Israeli groups in Lebanon (though the UN has officially certified that Israel has fully withdrawn from all areas it occupied after 1973).

UNIFIL's current mandate expires on August 31, 2010.[2]

Contents

[edit] Lebanese civil war

Saad Haddad (right) in a conversation with Norwegian Norbatt IV field priest major Ole Askvig Øgaard and other Norwegian UNIFIL personnel in a hotel in the Israeli town of Metula.

Prior to the 1982 Lebanon War on 2 January 1982, in which two Ghanaian soldiers guarding a UNIFIL position were attacked by unidentified persons and one of the soldiers was shot and subsequently died.[3] During the 1982 Lebanon War, UN positions were overrun, primarily by the SLA forces under Saad Haddad. This was the Lebanese collaborator forces supported by the IDF.[4] The first UNIFIL troops were deployed 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).[1]

During the occupation, UNIFIL's function was mainly to provide humanitarian aid.[4]

[edit] Mandate

UNIFIL road block in Lebanon, 1981

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] Post-2006 war operations

UNIFIL base

UNIFIL is currently deployed in Southern Lebanon (south of the Litani River) and primarily along the United Nations-drawn Blue Line, which is the border between Israel and Lebanon. The force's activities have centered around monitoring military activity between Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces with the aim of reducing tensions and allaying tension along the border. UNIFIL has also played an important role in clearing landmines, assisting displaced persons and providing humanitarian assistance to civilians in the underdeveloped region of Southern Lebanon. Under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which passed as a result of the 2006 Lebanon War, its mandate and rules of engagement changed. The mandate changed to allow up to 15,000 personnel in order to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces in deploying in Southern Lebanon to implement the Lebanese government's sovereignty. The rules of engagement changed to allow the troops to open fire in certain cases: mostly in cases of self-defense but also in order to protect civilians, UN personnel and facilities.[2] 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 utilized for hostile activities of any kind.”[8] 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 Lebanon.[9]

[edit] Maritime Task Force

After the 2006 Lebanon War, the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force (MTF) was established to assist the Lebanese Naval Forces in preventing the smuggling of illegal shipments in general and armament shipments in particular. With its establishment in October 2006, the force was led by the German Navy which was also the major contributor to the force.[10] The Germans lead the MTF up until February 29, 2008 when they passed control over to EUROMARFOR - a force made up of ships from Portugal, Spain, Italy and France (of which the latter three countries sent vessels to the force in Lebanon).[11][12] As of May 2008, the German Navy is still the biggest contributor to the UNIFIL MTF sending four vessels. These four vessels are complemented by two Italian, two Greek, one French, one Spanish, one Bulgarian and one Turkish vessel to comprise the 12-vessel UNIFIL Maritime Task Force.[12]

[edit] Personnel

C.I.S.S. humanitarian staff with Italian UNIFIL soldiers in Lebanon

As of April 30, 2008, UNIFIL employs 12,341 military personnel, supported by some 307 international civilian and 606 local civilian staff[13] and it is headed by Spanish Force Commander Major-General Alberto Asarta.[14]

To date UNIFIL has suffered 272 fatalities: 261 troops, two military observers, five international civilian staff, and four local staff.[14]

[edit] Debate over UNIFIL presence and neutrality

UNIFIL has fallen out of favour with both Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has criticized the force for, amongst other things, maintaining a dialogue with Hezbollah, which it views as a terrorist organization, for treating Israeli and Lebanese (and more specifically, Hezbollah) violations of security council resolution 1701 equally, while Israel views its violations of Lebanese airspace as less severe than Lebanese violations including crossings of the blue line and rocket launchings. UNIFIL was accused of complicity in the fatal abduction of IDF soldiers in October 2000, and Israel further blamed it for obstructing its investigation by denying the existence of and then once the existence was leaked, refusing to supply videos of the attack for several months.[15][16]

Prior to the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict of July 2006, Israel had been lobbying for UNIFIL to either take a more active role vis-a-vis Hezbollah (for example, preventing Hezbollah from stationing near UNIFIL posts to fire at the IDF and into northern Israel) or to step out of the region (thereby voiding the Lebanese government’s excuse for not deploying Lebanese Armed Forces along the border).[17]

UNIFIL also came under criticism during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict for broadcasting detailed reports of Israeli troop movements, numbers, and positions on their website which "could have exposed Israeli soldiers to grave danger", while making no such reports about Hezbollah.[18]

Hezbollah supporters have accused UNIFIL of siding with Israel, especially since the passage of Resolution 1701 which they view as one-sided. On October 16, 2006 Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah declared that the UN force had “come to protect Israel, not Lebanon”.[citation needed]

[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.[19] 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."[20]

[edit] Combat-related incidents

  • On July 17, a UNIFIL international staff member and his wife were killed when Israeli aircraft bombed the Hosh District of Tyre, Lebanon.
  • On July 23, Hezbollah fire wounded an Italian observer.
  • On July 25, Hezbollah opened small arms fire at a UNIFIL convoy, forcing it to retreat.
  • On July 25, four soldiers from the Ghanaian battalion were lightly injured after an Israeli tank shell hit a UNIFIL position during fighting in Southern Lebanon on 24 July 2006.[21]
  • Shrapnel from tank shells fired by the IDF seriously wounded an Indian soldier on 16 July 2006[22]
  • On 25 July 2006 four UNTSO observers from Austria, Canada, China and Finland were killed by Israeli strikes on an OGL patrol base near Khiam in southern Lebanon. According to the UN, the Israelis claimed to be responding to "Hezbollah fire from that vicinity" and the four had taken shelter in a bunker under the post. The area around the site was hit by a precision guided bomb from an Israeli jet and shelled a total of 14 times by Israeli artillery[23] throughout the day despite warning calls made by UN personnel to the IDF.[24] However, General Alain Pellegrini, then commander of UNIFIL, claims that he attempted to call Israeli officials "five or six times", but never got past their secretaries. Later, Israeli artillery shelling resumed as a rescue team tried to clear the rubble.[25]
  • On 29 July, two Indian soldiers were wounded when their post was damaged during an Israeli airstrike in Southern Lebanon.
  • On 6 August, a Hezbollah rocket hit the headquarters of the Chinese UNIFIL contingent, wounding three Chinese soldiers.
  • On 12 August, a Ghanian soldier was wounded when Israeli artillery shelled the area near the village of Haris.
  • On 14 August, Israeli aircraft fired two missiles onto a Palestinian faction in Saida, killing UN staff member Abdel Sagir.

[edit] Reinforcements

Italian Soldier on guard during UNIFIL
Search Wikinews Wikinews has related news: France offers promised 2000 soldiers to the UN in Lebanon

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 [26], in addition to the forces deployed in Opération Baliste. Italy will send 3,000 troops.[27]Qatar will send between 200 and 300 troops. [28]

A naval component of UNIFIL is being set up to assist the Lebanese Navy preventing arms proliferation to Hezbollah. This force is under the command of a German admiral with the majority of vessels being provided by the German Navy.

Indonesian contingent has received 12 VAB(Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé) on February 17, 2007, as the part of the second wave of shipment from the agreement between the French and Indonesian governments. Amongst the equipments sent with the second wave of VABs are 10 tool boxes (pioneering equipment), 10 armored vehicle radio communications unit, HMG (Heavy Machine Gun) shooter shield, and 40 water jerrycans.[29]

[edit] Incidents involving Israeli planes

On the 3 October 2006, an Israeli fighter penetrated the 2-nautical-mile (3.7 km) defence perimeter of the French frigate Courbet, triggering a diplomatic incident. Israel apologised after official protests from the French government [30][31].

On 24 October, six Israeli F-16s flew over a German vessel patrolling off Israel's coast just south of the Lebanese border. The German Defence Ministry said that the planes had given off infrared decoys and one of the aircraft had fired two shots into the air, which had not been specifically aimed. The Israeli military said that a German helicopter took off from the vessel without having coordinated this with Israel, and denied vehemently having fired any shots at the vessel and said "as of now" it also had no knowledge of the jets launching flares over it. Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz telephoned his German counterpart Franz Josef Jung to clarify that 'Israel has no intention to carry out any aggressive actions' against the German peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, who are there as part of UNIFIL to enforce an arms embargo against Hezbollah. Germany confirmed the consultations, and that both sides were interested in maintaining good cooperation.[32][33][34]

On 31 October 2006, eight Israeli F-15s flew over many areas of Lebanon, including Beirut.[35][36] The IAF jets also flew over a French peacekeeper position in Lebanon. According to the French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, the planes came in at what was interpreted as an attack formation, and the peacekeepers were "seconds away" from firing at the jets with an anti aircraft missile.[37]

In a report to the Security Council, Annan reported that there were no serious incidents or confrontations, but that peacekeepers reported Israeli flyovers "almost on a daily basis". Israel claimed that the flyovers were to prevent Hezbollah from receiving arms shipments from Syria or Iran.[38]

General Alain Pellegrini warned that the Israeli flyovers violated the cease fire, and threatened the use of force.

[edit] Post-conflict situation

On 24 June 2007, six UNIFIL soldiers (three Colombians and three Spanish) were killed after their vehicle was hit by an explosive device; two others (both Spanish) were injured in the incident.[39] No group has yet admitted responsibility. The Israeli military believed the attack to be the work of al-Qaeda/Global Jihad members.[40] On January 8, 2008 a roadside bomb injured two Irish UNIFIL soldiers 35 km south of Beirut.[41] On March 30, 2008 the UNIFIL patrol, following a suspicious pickup truck that was towing a trailer in the western sector of UNIFIL's area of operations, was blocked by two other vehicles with five armed persons. According to the UNIFIL spokeswoman Yasmina Bouzianne, the patrol challenged the armed people who left the area after about three minutes before a positive identification could be made.[42] The Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Ambassador Dan Carmon, met with UNIFIL commander, Maj.-Gen. Claudio Graziano, on 15 August 2008, after Israel was accused of unilaterally violating United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 by the almost daily overflights of Lebanese airspace, the continued occupation of the village of Ghajar and Israel's refusal to submit maps of areas on which it dropped cluster munitions during the 2006 Lebanese war.[43]

[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
 Belgium 394[44][45] de-miners, medical and reconstruction teams [45] 1 Karel Doorman class frigate[46]
 Brunei 100[47][48]
 Bulgaria 160[49] 1 Wielingen Class Frigate
People's Republic of ChinaChina, People’s Republic of 1,000[50][51] 200 engineers currently in Lebanon clearing mines and unexploded ordnance, medical team[51]
 Denmark 50[44][52] 2 patrol boats as force protection for German contingent and 144 logistic soldiers
 Finland 250[44][53] reconstructing roads, bridges and other infrastructure destroyed[54]
France France 2,000[55][56] ground troops including 13 French Leclerc tanks;[57] in charge of UNIFIL ground forces until February 2007.[58]
In addition, French Navy ships with 1,700 men are deployed off Lebanon in Opération Baliste, and assisting in UNIFIL operations.
 Germany 2,400[59][60] naval ships to secure the Lebanese coast and prevent arms smuggling[59][60]
Ghana Ghana 650[61]
 Greece 176-196 Elli-class frigate, the HS Kanaris, to patrol against arms smugglers[62]
India India 672[61][63] 01 x Standard Infantry Battalion of the Indian Army (Regulars), along with support components from the Corps of Engineers (Sappers), Corps of Signals and other logistic Arms and Services.
 Indonesia 1,136[64][65] 850 men in mechanized infantry battalion, 75 men in military police unit, 200 men in force protection company, 11 men UNIFIL staff,[66] 111 men aboard KRI Diponegoro (Sigma class corvette)[67]
Republic of Ireland Ireland 150[54][68] perimeter protection for Finnish troops[54]
Italy Italy 2,500[69] ground troops; assumed charge of UNIFIL ground forces in February 2007[70]
 South Korea 350[71][72] Infantry units and medical team. Security task in Tyre area and associated supply mission.[73] Medical aid for local people.
 Malaysia 360[74][75] Administrative(200) and patrol/quick reaction team (160; including commandos and special forces);
 Nepal 850[76][77] infantry battalion[76][77]
 Netherlands 150[46] 1 Karel Doorman class frigate[46]
Norway Norway 100[46][78] naval ships to secure the Lebanese coast and prevent arms smuggling[46]
Poland Poland 500[44][79]
 Portugal 140[80] engineering unit
 Russia 400[60][81] rebuilding infrastructure[60]
 Slovakia 6 medical team
 Slovenia 14 3 Staff Officers, 8 men strong Recon element, 3 men strong Logistical element (as of November 2007)
 Spain 1,500[55][82] de-mining and beach cleaning,mechanized infantry battalion(1 infantry platoon from El Salvador), cavalry squadron, combat engineers , helicopter unit [83][84]
 Sweden 40[44][85] 1 Göteborg class corvette
 Turkey 495[86] engineering unit to help rebuild damaged bridges and roads; Turkish naval frigate patrolling off the Lebanese coast[86] see also http://www.turkishembassy.org.lb/turkliban/turkliban.htm
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] UNIFIL leadership

[edit] Personal representatives of the Secretary-General for Southern Lebanon

Start Date End Date Name Country
March 1978 ? Jean Cuq  France
2000 January 15, 2001 Rolf Goran Knutsson  Sweden
January 15, 2001 April 2005 Staffan de Mistura  Sweden
April 2005 Present Geir Pedersen  Norway

[edit] Commanders of the force

Start Date End Date Name Country
March 1978 February 1981 Emmanuel A. Erskine  Ghana
February 1981 May 1986 William O'Callaghan  Ireland
June 1986 June 1988 Gustav Hägglund  Finland
July 1988 February 1993 Lars-Eric Wahlgren  Sweden
February 1993 February 1995 Trond Furuhovde  Norway
April 1995 October 1, 1997 Stanislaw Franciszek Wozniak  Poland
February 1997 September 1999 Jioje Konousi Koronte  Fiji
September 30, 1999 December 1, 1999 James Sreenan  Ireland
November 16, 1999 May 15, 2001 Seth Kofi Obeng  Ghana
May 15 August 17, 2001 Ganesan Athmanathan  India
August 17, 2001 February 17, 2004 Lalit Mohan Tewari  India
February 17, 2004 February 2, 2007 Alain Pellegrini  France
February 2, 2007 January 28, 2010 Claudio Graziano[87]  Italy
January 28, 2010 Present Alberto Asarta Cuevas  Spain

[edit] Commanders of the Maritime Task Force

Start Date End Date Name Country
September 2006 October 16, 2006 Giuseppe De Giorgi  Italy
October 16, 2006 March 2007 Andreas Krause  Germany
March 2007 September 2007 Karl-Wilhelm Bollow  Germany
September 2007 February 2008 Christian Luther  Germany
February 2008 August 2008[88] Ruggiero di Biase  Italy
September 2008 February 2009 Jean-Louis Kerignard[89]  France
March 2009 May 2009 Jean-Thierry Pynoo[90]  Belgium
August 2009 August 2009 Ruggiero Di Biase[91]  Italy
September 2009 November 2009 Jürgen Mannhardt[92]  Germany
December 2009 present Paolo Sandalli[93]  Italy

[edit] Fatalities

The entrance to the UN base where four UN peacekeepers were killed during the conflict

To date, UNIFIL has suffered 258 fatalities: 249 military personnel, 2 military observers, 3 international civilian staff, and 4 local staff.[94] Fatalities by nationality include Belgium: 4, Fiji: 35, Finland: 11, France: 30, Ghana: 29, India: 2, Iran: 1, Ireland: 47, Italy: 6, Lebanon: 6, Malaysia: 1, Nepal: 25, Netherlands: 9, Nigeria: 10, Norway: 21, Philippines: 1, Poland: 7, Senegal: 16, Spain: 7, Sweden: 7, United Kingdom: 3.

Date Incident
31 May 1999: An Irish soldier, Pte. William Kedian was killed when IDF/DFF mortar fire hit a UNIFIL position.
July-August 2006: A total of five UN peacekeepers and staff members are killed by Israeli air and artillery strikes targeting Hezbollah fighters.[95]
25 September 2006: A French engineer officer was killed in a road accident near the town of Sofar.
24 June 2007: Three Colombian and three Spanish soldiers were killed in a bomb blast between Marjayoun and Khiam.
25 July 2007: A French soldier was killed near the village of Shama while clearing unexploded munitions.
11 October 2007: A British man, Craig Appleby (36) was killed while clearing munitions near Bint Jbeil.
12 November 2007: Two French soldiers were wounded as a result of the accidental discharge of a weapon. One of the wounded men subsequently died while being evacuated to Hospital.
15 June 2008: A Spanish soldier was killed and two injured in a road accident.
3 September 2008: A Belgian soldier was killed near the village of Aitaroun while clearing munitions left over from the 2006 conflict.

[edit] Quotes

Easter catholic mass in South Lebanon with French UNIFIL contingent- 2004
  • "UNIFIL, I'm afraid, is a joke. They’ve been there for 26 years and since then, there have been so many skirmishes [along the border]." - former Israeli ambassador Itamar Rabinovich, 20 July 2006[96]
  • "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[97]
  • " UNIFIL came here in 1978. We were, because at that time there was no Hezbollah here, accused of being sympathetic to Palestinians. A peacekeeping force does not come here with pre-set enemies. There is no enemy [inaudible] in a peacekeeping force. UNIFIL is a peacekeeping force. It's not an Israeli combat force or an anti-terror force, as they would like it to be. As long as we don't serve their direct interests, they are going to denigrate it as much as they can." Timur Goksel, former spokesman of the UNIFIL, July 26, 2006[98]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b "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. United Nations. pp. §275–279. http://untreaty.un.org/cod/repertory/art98/english/rep_supp5_vol5-art98_e.pdf#pagemode=none. Retrieved 2006-08-06. 
  2. ^ United Nations Security Council Resolution 1884 S-RES-1884(2009) page 2 on 27 August 2009 (retrieved 2009-10-21)
  3. ^ UN Doc S/15194 of 10 June 1982 Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
  4. ^ a b "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. United Nations. pp. §185–§199. http://untreaty.un.org/cod/repertory/art98/english/rep_supp6_vol6-art98_e.pdf. Retrieved 2006-08-06. 
  5. ^ United Nations Security Council extends UN force in Lebanon until 31 July, unanimously adopting Resolution 1655 (2006) Retrieved on 2006-08-12
  6. ^ United Nations Security Council extends United Nations force in Lebanon, unanimously adopting Resolution 1697 (2006) Retrieved on 2006-08-12
  7. ^ United Nations Security Council calls for end to hostilities between Hizbollah, Israel, unanimously adopting Resolution 1701 (2006) Retrieved on 2006-08-12
  8. ^ James Bone and Richard Beeston (2006-08-21). "After 31 days of fighting, UN votes for plan to bring peace to Lebanon". The Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,251-2309181,00.html. Retrieved 2008-05-23. 
  9. ^ Harry De Quetteville and Michael Hirst (2006-08-27). "UN will not stop Syria sending weapons to Lebanon". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1527391/UN-will-not-stop-Syria-sending-weapons-to-Lebanon.html. Retrieved 2008-05-23. 
  10. ^ "UNIFIL Maritime Task Force is operational" (PDF). UNIFIL. 2006-10-16. http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr065.pdf. Retrieved 2008-05-24. 
  11. ^ "Germany passes command of UNIFIL maritime components to European Maritime Force". German Foreign Office. 2008-02-28. http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/en/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2008/080228-UNIFIL.html. Retrieved 2008-05-24. 
  12. ^ a b "UNIFIL Maritime Task Force Changes Command" (PDF). UNIFIL. 2008-02-29. http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr109e.pdf. Retrieved 2008-05-24. 
  13. ^ The civilian staff statistics are only updated as of February 29, 2008
  14. ^ a b "Lebanon - UNIFIL - Facts and Figures". United Nations. http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/facts.html. 
  15. ^ CNN, 3 August 2001 U.N. report: Kidnapped Israeli soldiers may be dead
  16. ^ Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (for the period from 21 July 2004 to 20 January 2005) Document S/2005/36
  17. ^ Haaretz Israel accuses UN of collaborating with Hezbollah Retrieved 2006-10-28
  18. ^ Lori Lowenthal Marcus (09/04/2006). "What did you do in the war, UNIFIL?". Weekly Standard. http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/622bqwjn.asp. 
  19. ^ United Nations UNIFIL press releases
  20. ^ See paragraph 28 in Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (S/2006/560) Accessed 31 July 2006
  21. ^ http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr09.pdf UNIFIL Press Release, Naqoura, 25 July 2006
  22. ^ http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr01.pdf UNIFIL Press Release, Naqoura, 17 July 2006
  23. ^ UNIFIL Untitled Press Release 26 July 2006
  24. ^ Tim Butcher (2006-07-27). "UN 'urged Israelis to hold fire 10 times before post was hit'". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1524958/UN-%27urged-Israelis-to-hold-fire-10-times-before-post-was-hit%27.html. Retrieved 2008-05-23. 
  25. ^ "Israeli bomb kills UN observers". BBC News. 2006-07-26. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5215366.stm. Retrieved 2008-05-23. 
  26. ^ www.lemonde.fr
  27. ^ www.alertnet.org
  28. ^ Qatar to send troops to LebanonSeptember 4, 2006, www.cnn.com
  29. ^ www.tniad.mil.id
  30. ^ www.lemonde.fr
  31. ^ No aggression intended Israel says after German ship incident http://news.monstersandcritics.com
  32. ^ "Germany, Israel confirm naval vessel-planes incident". Telugu Portal. 2006, 28 October. http://www.teluguportal.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=18958. 
  33. ^ "Germany, Israel confirm naval vessel-planes incident". Middle East News. 2006, 28 October. http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/article_1214671.php/Germany_Israel_confirm_naval_vessel-planes_incident. 
  34. ^ "Israel denies firing shots at German ship". Ynetnews. 2006, 28 October. http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/ba4623e8cf1e387d/. 
  35. ^ Israeli jets fly low over Beirut, 31 October 2006, BBC
  36. ^ Israeli warplanes fly low over Beirut, suburbs, Reuters
  37. ^ IDF checking French claim its UN troops almost fired at IAF jets, AP in Haaretz
  38. ^ http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/02/news/UN_GEN_UN_Lebanon_Peacekeepers.php
  39. ^ Lebanon blast kills UN soldiers BBC, 24 June 2007
  40. ^ Al-Qaida suspected in attack that killed 5 UNIFIL troops
  41. ^ Mohammed Zaatari (2008-03-17). "Indonesia to dispatch 90 military police to join countrymen in UNIFIL". The Daily Star (Lebanon). http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidDS170308_dsart4/SecMain/pagHomepage/chnAll%20Regional%20News/obj2A17E941-F5E0-11D4-867D00D0B74A0D7C/. Retrieved 2008-04-05. 
  42. ^ The Daily StarUNIFIL confirms incident with gunmen accessed April 24, 2008
  43. ^ Ha'aretz 16 August 2008, Israeli envoy meets UNIFIL chief over praise for Hezbollah, censure for Israel By Shlomo Shamire
  44. ^ a b c d e Asian Tribune U.N. Force Looks More European, Less Multinational Accessed September 14, 2006
  45. ^ a b Expatica Communications Two Belgian generals to serve on Lebanon mission[1] Accessed September 14, 2006
  46. ^ a b c d e Netherlands Ministry of Defence NEDERLANDS MARINESCHIP NAAR LIBANON Accessed October 2, 2006
  47. ^ Brudirect.com News Brunei Troops To Join Malaysia In Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
  48. ^ Daily Express Accord on Trans-Borneo Highway Accessed September 14, 2006
  49. ^ Naharnet Bulgaria Approves Sending 160-Crew Frigate to Lebanon Accessed September 30, 2006
  50. ^ MonstersandCritics.com Lebanon latest hotspot as China deploys peacekeepers Accessed September 14, 2006
  51. ^ a b Haaretz China to send as many as 1,000 peacekeeping troops to Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
  52. ^ Danish Navy 2 missilfartøjer men ingen korvet til Libanon Accessed October 2, 2006
  53. ^ Helsingin Sanomat President approves Lebanon force Accessed September 14, 2006
  54. ^ a b c Herald Tribune Ireland to deploy 150 troops to United Nations force in Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
  55. ^ a b EiTB24 Italian troops land in Lebanon strengthening renewed UNIFIL Accessed September 14, 2006
  56. ^ FrontPageMagazine.com Making the Ceasefire Stick Accessed September 14, 2006
  57. ^ Associated Press French Tanks Give Teeth to U.N. Force Accessed September 14, 2006
  58. ^ Forbes France in Lebanon: the strength of hesitation Accessed September 14, 2006
  59. ^ a b MonstersandCritics.com Germany sends troops to Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
  60. ^ a b c d China Daily Germany oks Lebanon mission Accessed September 14, 2006
  61. ^ a b Raw Story Media, Inc. UN opens meeting on Lebanon troops Accessed September 14, 2006
  62. ^ "Greece begins its peacekeeping drive in Lebanon: Frigate has orders to fire if need be". Kathimerini. 2006-09-09. http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100004_09/09/2006_74016. 
  63. ^ IndianMuslims.info India to keep existing troops in UNIFIL for 'time being' Accessed September 14, 2006
  64. ^ Raw Story Media, Inc. Indonesian soldiers off to Lebanon in late December Accessed December, 2008 is not include 1 KRI diponegoro (sigma class corvettes)
  65. ^ Helsingin Sanomat Indonesian leader praises Finns for contribution to Aceh peace process Accessed September 14, 2006
  66. ^ Indonesian Tiga Kontingen Garuda Diberangkatkan ke Lebanon 18 November 2008, Suara Karya Online
  67. ^ Antara News KRI Diponegoro Siap Diberangkatkan ke Lebanon
  68. ^ The Irish Times 150 Irish troops to join UN interim force in Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
  69. ^ Italian Missione UNIFIL/OPERAZIONE "LEONTE" - LIBANO Italian Army, Accessed April 3, 2007
  70. ^ ANSA Peacekeepers need political support Accessed September 14, 2006
  71. ^ Jung, Sung-ki (June 21, 2007). "Peacekeeping Unit for Lebanon Created". Korea Times (Korea Times). http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=5215&categoryCode=116. Retrieved 2007-08-31. 
  72. ^ "South Korean troops arrive in Lebanon to join UN peacekeepers". The Associated Press (Haaretz, Israel News). July 19, 2007. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/884003.html. Retrieved 2007-08-31. 
  73. ^ Korea Picks Site for Military Camp in Lebanon, Korea Times. Korea Times, April 6, 2007, Retrieved on August 31, 2007.
  74. ^ 200 Soldiers To Play Role As UNIFIL Administrators Bernama.com, September 20, 2006
  75. ^ Malaysia's Prime Minister's Office
  76. ^ a b Islamic Republic News Agency Nepal to send 850 troops to war torn Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
  77. ^ a b PeaceJournalism.com Annan Ends his Visit to Beirut after Touring War-Ravaged South Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
  78. ^ Sending MTBs Accessed October 2, 2006
  79. ^ Raw Story Media, Inc. Poland to boost Lebanon UNIFIL force to 500 troops Accessed September 14, 2006
  80. ^ Naharnet Portuguese UNIFIL Troops to Head to Lebanon Next Week Accessed October 28, 2006
  81. ^ Syrian Arab News Agency Russia Sends 1200 Soldiers to Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
  82. ^ People's Daily Online Spanish troops hope to help speed up Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon Accessed September 14, 2006
  83. ^ Daily Star Western envoys discuss deployments to UNIFIL Accessed September 14, 2006
  84. ^ http://www.mde.es/areasTematicas/misiones/enCurso/misiones/mision_4.html
  85. ^ Swedish armed forces HMS Gävle på väg søderut Accessed October 2, 2006
  86. ^ a b Turkish Weekly The Turkish UNIFIL Troops Set off for Lebanon Accessed November 9, 2006
  87. ^ http://unifil.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1503
  88. ^ http://unifil.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1523
  89. ^ http://unifil.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1511&ctl=Details&mid=1609&ItemID=2524
  90. ^ http://unifil.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1511&ctl=Details&mid=1609&ItemID=4044
  91. ^ http://unifil.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1511&ctl=Details&mid=1609&ItemID=5649
  92. ^ http://unifil.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1511&ctl=Details&mid=1609&ItemID=6572
  93. ^ http://unifil.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1511&ctl=Details&mid=1609&ItemID=6572
  94. ^ http://justice4lebanon.wordpress.com/2007/12/13/the-united-nations-interim-force-in-lebanon-unifil/
  95. ^ http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unifil/index.shtml
  96. ^ NPR.org Mass Exodus Continues as Lebanon Seeks Aid
  97. ^ Times Online (UK) The Times interview with Ehud Olmert: full transcript Accessed August 3, 2006
  98. ^ Democracy Now!, Kofi Annan Says Israel's Fatal Attack on UN Force in Lebanon was "Apparently Deliberate"; Longtime UN Official Says Israel Knew Site Was UN Base

[edit] See also

[edit] Sources

[edit] External links

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