United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF)

The first elements of the new United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) arrived in Cairo on 26 October 1973, the day after the adoption of the Security Council Resolution setting up the Force. The Force consists of battalions from Austria, Canada, Finland, Indonesia, Ireland, Panama, Peru, Poland and Sweden under the command of Lieutenant General Ensio Siilasvuo of Finland. A battalion from Ghana is expected shortly. The task of the Force is to supervise the implementation of the Security Council resolution which "demands that immediate and complete cease-fire be observed and that the parties return to the positions occupied by them at 1650 hours GMT on 22 October 1973". It is also to use its "best efforts to prevent a recurrence of the fighting, and cooperate with the International Committee of the Red Cross in its humanitarian endeavours in the area". UNTSO Military Observers will also co-operate with the Force in carrying out its mandate.
A soldier from the Austrian Battalion observing from UNEF Position 103 during the first sunrise of 1974.