Civilians pledge allegiance to the flag at the 'Miguel de Cervantes' Base in Lebanon

• First time ever in an area of operations, the event, was organized by the Spanish Brigade and the Spanish Embassy to Lebanon

Within the framework of the commemoration of Spanish National Day, Brigadier General Ignacio Olazábal Elorz, Head of the Spanish Brigade in Lebanon,  presided over a solemn ceremony to pledge allegiance to the flag for civilians in Marjayoun, accompanied by the Spanish Ambassador to Lebanon Jesus Ignacio Santos Aguado.

Fifty two citizens, who are part of the Spanish community in Lebanon,  pledged allegiance to the flag, exercising their right of free, public and individual expression of loyalty to Spain, acquiring the commitment to defend its collective interests and those of the Spaniards, inside and outside its borders. Among them, the presence of the Spanish Ambassador to Lebanon stood out.

Upon arrival at the Miguel de Cervantes Base, the group could visit an  exhibition of the material used by the Spanish military in carrying out their daily missions.

The ceremony started with the arrival of the Spanish flag to the Plaza Don Quijote de la Mancha. In his speech, General Olazábal stressed that "national defence is not something that falls exclusively to the Armed Forces, but involves and includes all citizens and institutions, since it must unite all the material, intellectual and moral assets of our nation. Pledging allegiance to the flag is of our loyalty to Spain and its King”. To conclude the ceremony, General Olazábal reminded "our Brigade’s over 500 members who are deployed in the distant Latvian forests" and dedicated a few words to the recently deceased Lance Corporal Serrano "who left us while he was fulfilling his duty while training to serve better.”

After the tribute ceremony to the fallen, the ceremony ended with the Force military parade, made up of a Squad of Sappers and an Honours Company, and a Motorized Unit.

The expression of our values and traditions by the Spanish military and Spanish society, represented by its community in Lebanon, endorse Spain's firm commitment to comply with UN Resolution 1701, contributing to the well-being of the Lebanese people and to stability and peace south of the Litani.