Moldovan National Army's contingent to participate in UNIFIL mission in Lebanon

Chisinau, 3 November /MOLDPRES/ - The cabinet of ministers today approved a draft parliament decision on the participation of a National Army’s contingent in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This is the first UN operation, in which Moldova takes with a contingent of servicemen, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.

Under the document, starting from August 2022, the National Army will detach to Lebanon a contingent made up of 20 military, will carry out missions of security and guard of military objects, as well as of patrol in the responsibility area.

The servicemen will participate in this mission in the composition of the Italian contingent, as a result of the good cooperation within the peacekeeping operation KFOR from Kosovo and the negotiations held with international missions, as well as with other partners.  

Moldova’s government will undertake all organizational actions and will ensure the conditions necessary for the military detached. In this respect, the cabinet will negotiate and will sign, if needed, memorandums of understanding, will establish the period and order of rotation, way of extending the mandate and of return to Moldova for each contingent, proceeding from the requirements established on the scene of operations. Also, the number of servicemen participants will be adjusted, depending on the operational need and within the limits of the resources available.    

The initiative on detaching National Army military to UNIFIL is meant to support the goal of ensuring peace through participation in international missions, provided for in the government’s action programme, Moldova of Good Times, as well as in the context of the provisions of the Law No 2019/2015 on Moldova’s participation in international missions and operations.  

So far, the National Army has participated in UN peacekeeping missions only with military observers and general staff officers.   

According to the Resolutions by the Security Council No 425(1978) and 426 (1978) from 19 March 1978, UNIFIL was set up for the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, re-establishment of peace and international security, providing assistance to the government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of this country’s authority in the zone.    

Subsequently, based on other resolutions of the UN Security Council, the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon was extended for one year. At a request by the government of Lebanon, the UNIFIL’s mandate is annually renewed by the Security Council.    

About 10,500 servicemen from 45 states participate in the UNIFIL mission.

Photo: army.md