First contingent of National Army goes on UNIFIL mission in Lebanon
The first contingent of the National Army that consists of 32 service members on Tuesday leaves for Lebanon to take part in the peacekeeping mission UNIFIL. The service members will contribute to maintaining peace and security and to protecting important facilities. The service members will work as part of the Italian peacekeepers’ detachment, IPN reports.
President Maia Sandu in the farewell ceremony said the people go through a period of instability and the main task of the state is to ensure the security of citizens. “The countries of the world need to combine forces so as to defend peace even in the most unstable regions on the globe. Our country undertook to contribute to strengthening international security. For the first time, a contingent of 32 Moldovan service members will take part in such a UN mission not as observers, but as peacekeepers. Through your agency, the Republic of Moldova takes part in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon,” stated Maia Sandu.
The official assured that the new Cabinet that will be led by Dorin Recean will work to strengthen peace and security in Moldova. She thanked the foreign partners for their assistance in maintaining and strengthening national security.
Italy’s Ambassador to Moldova Lorenzo Tomassoni said the experience the Moldovan peacekeepers will gain as part of the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon will be beneficial to them, especially during the current security crises. “The safety of our comrades in other peace-loving countries depends on your professionalism. Amid the current security crisis, our cooperation goes beyond the peacekeeping mission. In a period of historic transition, you contribute to securing your future,” said the diplomat.
Outgoing minister of defense Anatol Nosatyi said that Moldova is not only a consumer of security, but also contributes to security in other countries. “It was a desideratum towards which we have tended and today I’m honored to say that our service members are ready to go to Lebanon to fulfill the mission to protect civilians. Alongside another 47 countries, you will contribute to maintaining peace and security. I’m sure that you will fulfill this mission with honor and responsibility,” said Anatol Nosatyi, addressing the Moldovan service members.
Commander of UNIFIL 1 contingent, captain Nicolae Tsinevski assured that the National Army’s first contingent in Lebanon will honorably fulfill their duties. “Today is an important day that will remain in the country’s history. For us, the 32 peacekeepers, the participation in the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon is an honor and also a responsibility for appropriately representing the National Army in the first mission under the UN aegis. We will prove that we have the necessary training. We know the risks of the mission and know to ensure interoperability with the other missions. In the name of the UNIFIL 1 contingent, I promise we will carry the national flag with honor,” said Nicolae Tsinevski.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is a UN peacekeeping mission established in March 1978 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and to ensure that the government of Lebanon would restore its effective authority in the area. At the request of the Government of Lebanon, the UNIFIL mandate is annually renewed by the Security Council. The decision to take part in UNIFIL was adopted by Moldova’s Parliament in November 2021. On August 23, 2022, the first four service members of the National Army were detached to Lebanon.
