National Army soldiers will participate in the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon

CHISINAU, November 18, 2021 - The Republic of Moldova will deploy a contingent of 20 troops to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The decision was approved today by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.

According to the draft decision presented at the sitting of the Parliament by the Secretary of State for Defense Policy, National Defense Planning and Military Interoperability, Valeriu Mija, the Moldovan military will participate in this mission starting with August 2022.

In Lebanon, peacekeepers will carry out security and guard missions, as well as patrol in the area of responsibility. They will be part of the Italian contingent, along with soldiers from Serbia and Armenia.

Expenditures related to the participation in the UNIFIL international operation of the National Army contingent will be covered from the account and within the budgetary allocations of the Ministry of Defense.

It should be mentioned that UNIFIL is the first UN-led operation to which the Republic of Moldova is deploying a contingent of soldiers. Previously, the National Army participated in UN peacekeeping missions only with military observers and staff officers. The initiative to second the National Army in the Lebanese Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) supports the goal of increasing the contribution to peacekeeping by participating in international missions, provided for in the Government of Moldova`s "Good Times" Work Program but also in the context of implementing the provisions of Law no. 219/2015 on the participation of the Republic of Moldova in international missions and operations.

UNIFIL was established with the aim of withdrawing Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and restoring international peace and security. The UNIFIL mission is attended by about 10,500 soldiers from 45 countries around the world.