BRILIB XXXIII Takes over in UNIFIL´s East Sector

• This rotation, made up of personnel from BRIPAC, has taken over from the Spanish Legión two months later than forecasted due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Brigade Líbano (BRILIB) XXXIII, made up from Brigade “Almogávares VI” as core unit, took over command of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, Sector East, (UNIFIL), The military parade took place following all protocols against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The HOTO ceremony took place two months later than forecasted due to the measures adopted by Lebanon and UNIFIL in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All BRILIB XXXIII personnel have complied with the procedure set by the Spanish Defence Staff for deployments in order to prevent any infection.

The hand over/take over (HOTO) ceremony was chaired by UNIFIL’s Force Commander, Italian General Stefano del Col and and was attended by the Spanish ambassador to Lebanon

In his first speech, the Head of BRILIB XXXIII, General Luis Jesús Fernández Herrero, highlighted “Spain's firm commitment to international peace and security, as reflected in United Nations Resolution 1701”.

This is the fourth time that BRIPAC has led the mission in which the Spanish armed forces have participated since 2006.

UNIFIL

The mission of the Spanish BRILIB troops in their area of operations is to monitor the cease fire in the area, preventing or defusing any increase in tension that may occur along the line of separation between Lebanon and Israel, the so-called Blue Line.

Their mission is also to support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in exercising effective control over the southern part of its territory to prevent it being used for hostile acts of any kind.