Lebanon: UN Peacekeeping Force Reaches 11,500
New York, Nov 29 2006 9:00PM
The enhanced United Nations peacekeeping force sent to Lebanon this summer to monitor the cessation of hostilities
between Israel and Hizbollah now totals 11,500 troops from 21 countries, just 3,500 below its mandated maximum strength,
with additional personnel arriving from Indonesia, Portugal and Italy.
Some 9,800 are ground troops and 1,700 naval personnel, a UN spokesman said today. Security Council Resolution 1701,
which ended 34 days of fighting in August, mandates strengthening UNIFIL to a maximum of 15,000 troops.
Israel has withdrawn from all positions it occupied during the fighting, except for one, a section of Ghajar village
that is on the Lebanese side of the Blue Line separating the two countries. UNIFIL commanders have been in regular talks
with senior Lebanese and Israeli officers on the issue.
A complete Israeli withdrawal, together with Lebanese army deployment in southern Lebanon, is a key clause in Resolution
1701.
Over the past week, UNIFIL de-miners from various national contingents destroyed more than 300 separate explosive
devices, including rockets, grenades, and cluster bombs.
UNIFIL peacekeepers also continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the local population, including medical, dental
and veterinary aid.
ENDS