UNIFIL: Lebanon Informed of Belgium's 'Routine' Withdrawal

Lebanese authorities have been informed that Belgium will withdraw its contingent from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, the peacekeeping mission's spokesperson, Andrea Tenenti, said.

Tenenti told An Nahar newspaper published on Tuesday that the UNIFIL leadership was first informed about Belgium's decision by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York.

Belgium's contingent has 102 members, who will be withdrawn by the end of December, he said.

The spokesperson described the move as a “routine change in the structure of contingents from different states.”

“Some nations drop the number of their peacekeepers while others increase them,” he said. Some states “make new contributions.”

“But the practical capabilities of UNIFIL remain the same,” Tenenti added.

UNIFIL was established in 1978 in south Lebanon following Israel's initial invasion of the country that year.

Its mission was extended and enlarged after Israel's aggression on Lebanon in 2006, with a current 10,319-strong force sourced from several countries.

G.K.

H.K.