The Leb 2

[Futiwali]

Does anyone know if the army will send troops to the Leb if a new mission starts or if UNIFIL is enforced or enlarged ?

[Groundhog]

150 according to yesterday's Sindo.

[Futiwali]

That seems very small compared to what we had there before. I know the army is stretched to breaking point at the moment so it is understandable unless we take troops from other missions. Any idea what the composition will be ?

[FMolloy]

That seems very small compared to what we had there before.

There's a cap of around 850 on the numbers that can serve overseas at any given time.

[mutter nutter]

That seems very small compared to what we had there before. I know the army is stretched to breaking point at the moment so it is understandable unless we take troops from other missions. Any idea what the composition will be ?

according to some of the paper's, they wouldn be doing something similar to what they did in Liberia, a rapid reaction unit, probably doesn't need to be that big, question is though is there any point to going back there?, they'll just start blowing the shit out of each other eventually, there are place's on the planet screaming out for a UN presence, that have none, and instead, it's back to get between the Isreali's and their enemies of the week.

[hptmurphy]

Ours is not to reason why...!

[Goldie fish]

See news section for more details.

[DeV]

A link to the UN Resolution:
http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/G...df?OpenElement

Today's UNIFIL press release:
http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr029.pdf

Yesterday and during last night, there were a number of serious incidents of firing from the Israeli side directly on UN positions in various locations: Tibnin (4), Haris (2), At Tiri (2) and Marun al Ras (1). A total of 85 artillery shells impacted directly inside these UNIFIL positions, (of which 35 impacted inside the position in the area of Tibnin), causing massive material damage to all the positions. All UNIFIL personnel were forced into shelters for the
entire period, which prevented casualties. In addition, 10 aerial rockets and 108 artillery rounds from the IDF side impacted in the immediate vicinity of these and other UN positions, including the UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura.
UNIFIL strongly protested to the IDF command all these grave incidents which endangered the security and safety of UN personnel and caused enormous material damage to UN property.

[DeV]

New rules of engagement for UNIFIL

By this resolution, the Council also authorized UNIFIL to take all necessary action in areas of deployment of its forces and as it deems within its capabilities, to ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind; to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent it from discharging its duties under the mandate of the Security Council; and to protect United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment, ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel, humanitarian workers and, without prejudice to the responsibility of the Government of Lebanon, to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence.

[trellheim]

850 is the UNSAS agreed figure AFAIK but open to correction, according to the papers since UNMIL is winding down this will be where to next, anyone know what the new UNIFIL ORBAT will be ? PS ... off to do some research !

Here's the new mandate :

(from http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/mission...l/mandate.html)

Lebanon - UNIFIL - Mandate
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
UNIFIL - Home
Background
Mandate
Facts & Figures
UN Documents
Map (PDF)


According to Security Council resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) of 19 March 1978, UNIFIL was established to:

* Confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon;
* Restore international peace and security;
* Assist the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area.

According to Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) of 11 August 2006, UNIFIL, in addition to carrying out its mandate under resolutions 425 and 426:

* Monitor the cessation of hostilities;
* Accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the South, including along the Blue Line, as Israel withdraws its armed forces from Lebanon;
* Coordinate its activities referred to in the preceding paragraph (above) with the Government of Lebanon and the Government of Israel;
* Extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons;
* Assist the Lebanese armed forces in taking steps towards the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani river of an free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL deployed in this area;
* Assist the Government of Lebanon, at its request, in securing its borders and other entry points to prevent the entry in Lebanon without its consent of arms or related materiel

By this resolution, the Council also authorized UNIFIL to take all necessary action in areas of deployment of its forces and as it deems within its capabilities, to ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind; to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent it from discharging its duties under the mandate of the Security Council; and to protect United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment, ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel, humanitarian workers and, without prejudice to the responsibility of the Government of Lebanon, to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence.
Maintained by the Peace and Security Section of the Department of Public Information
in cooperation with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
© United Nations 2006

[DeV]

Giving the amount of time it takes the UN to make decisions, the troops will be in the AO, before a ORBAT is made up. My guess is the SG will be looking for formed units as far as possible (eg the Bangladeshi Brigade with UNMIL).

Put it this way, UNIFIL currently is a brigade minus (<2000 troops), the new authorised strength is 15,000.

According to the press the contributors will include:
France (as lead nation??), Italy (3,000), New Zealand (c150), Ireland, Turkey, Malaysia (1,000)

Possible:
Indonesia, Brunei

[Truck Driver]

New rules of engagement for UNIFIL

So this would seem to be a peace enforcement mission rather than a peace keeping mission, as per before.

150 according to yesterday's Sindo.

If this turns out to be the number involved, then it will probably be a similar
mission to UNMEE (Ethiopia-Eritrea), i.e; a specialist unit - in that instance, a Tpt Coy.

[Saracen]

Be better off renaming the UN Force for this deployment. Let both sides know the UN mean business this time.

[Groundhog]

That seems very small compared to what we had there before.

That's because it is. A company plus strength as opposed to a battalion plus.

I know the army is stretched to breaking point at the moment....

Why does everybody say that? Fifteen years ago we were able to provide a battalion to Lebanon plus a component to UNIFIL HQ and the FMR with no problem. Meanwhile the army performed much more ATCP duties at home at a time when there was virtually no recruitment. If you complained you were stretched to breaking point you'd be sent to the border for a rest.

[Bravo20]

Why does everybody say that? Fifteen years ago we were able to provide a battalion to Lebanon plus a component to UNIFIL HQ and the FMR with no problem. Meanwhile the army performed much more ATCP duties at home at a time when there was virtually no recruitment. If you complained you were stretched to breaking point you'd be sent to the border for a rest.

There was 2,000 more in the army 15 years ago and we are currently providing a battalion overseas (if you combine the numbers in Kosovo and Liberia), and there hasn't been any reduction in cash and exposive escorts. And while there may be a reduction in border duties, there is an increased training requirement (it was realised that 15 years ago the army was not in a position to train effectively given its work load).