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STORY: LEBANON / UNIFIL ESTABLISHMENT DAY
TRT: 04:31
SOURCE: UNIFIL
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 20 MARCH 2023, NAQOURA, SOUTH LEBANON
1. Various shots (WMC) UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Arnold Lázaro arrives and guard of honor salute
2. Various shots, ceremony attendees
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Major General Arnold Lázaro, Head of Mission and Force Commander, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL):
“UNIFIL was created – for an initial period of six months. Forty-five years later, we realize that maintaining peace and security still remains our aim and still requires the commitment of the international community and the UNIFIL troops contributing countries, as if this were the first day of our mission.”
4. Med shot, ceremony attendees
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Major General Arnold Lázaro, Head of Mission and Force Commander, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL):
“Carrying out our duties has not come without sacrifice. Today, we recognize the contribution and dedication of our civilian and military peacekeepers, working for a better future for this region. But we also remember the sacrifice of our 328 military colleagues who lost their lives here, serving for the cause of peace.”
6. Med shot, ceremony attendees
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Major General Arnold Lázaro, Head of Mission and Force Commander, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL):
“Today, we remember the loss of private Seán Rooney, a bright young Irish soldier who was tragically killed on December the 14th. I appreciate the support and condolences of the Lebanese authorities, as well as their cooperation in investigating this incident. We all look forward to seeing the perpetrators of this crime, and every other crime against peacekeepers, brought to justice.”
8. Med shot, ceremony attendees
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Major General Arnold Lázaro, Head of Mission and Force Commander, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL):
“In recent weeks, we have seen heightened tensions along the blue line. Our peacekeepers have been on the ground to defuse potential incidents and maintain calm. Thanks to their efforts, and with the strong commitment of the parties, the situation has not escalated. I continue to urge all parties to refrain from any action that could lead to misunderstanding, reaction, and cause a break in the cessation of hostilities.”
10. Wide shot, applause
11. Various shots, ceremony attendees
12. Various shots, Lázaro and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander representative Brigadier General Rodolph Haikal laying the wreath
13. Various shots, peacekeepers and attendees
14. Various shots, Lázaro and UNIFIL leadership awarding UNIFIL Staff officers Medals
As UNIFIL today (20 Mar) marked the 45th anniversary of the UN mission’s establishment, its head and Force Commander, Major General Aroldo Lázaro, said the Mission “still requires the commitment of the international community and the UNIFIL troops contributing countries, as if this were the first day of our mission.”
Addressing a ceremony in the UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura, Major General Lázaro said, “carrying out our duties has not come without sacrifice. Today, we recognize the contribution and dedication of our civilian and military peacekeepers, working for a better future for this region. But we also remember the sacrifice of our 328 military colleagues who lost their lives here, serving for the cause of peace.”
He said, “today, we remember the loss of private Seán Rooney, a bright young Irish soldier who was tragically killed on December the 14th. I appreciate the support and condolences of the Lebanese authorities, as well as their cooperation in investigating this incident. We all look forward to seeing the perpetrators of this crime, and every other crime against peacekeepers, brought to justice.”
Lázaro said, “in recent weeks, we have seen heightened tensions along the blue line. Our peacekeepers have been on the ground to defuse potential incidents and maintain calm. Thanks to their efforts, and with the strong commitment of the parties, the situation has not escalated. I continue to urge all parties to refrain from any action that could lead to misunderstanding, reaction, and cause a break in the cessation of hostilities.”
On 19 March 1978, the UN Security Council established UNIFIL to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security and assist the Lebanese Government in restoring its effective authority in the area. Following the 2006 war, the Council significantly enhanced UNIFIL’s mandate and capacity and assigned it additional tasks working closely with the LAF in south Lebanon.
Today, UNIFIL has more than 10,000 military personnel from 46 countries, including the Maritime Task Force, the only naval force in UN peace operations - and some 900 civilian national and international staff.
