Extremadura XI Brigade takes command of operation Libre Hidalgo UNIFIL East sector

• This contingent relieves the "Almogávares" VI Parachute Brigade.

Handover ceremony at the "Miguel de Cervantes" Base in the locality of Marjayoun. Transfer of Authority between the BRILIB XXXIX and BRILIB XL contingents in the command of UNIFIL Sector East.

The event was led by UNIFIL Deputy Force Commander, Nepalese Brigadier General Chok Bahadur Dhakal, and was attended by the Spanish Ambassador to Lebanon, Jesús Ignacio Santos Aguado, the Deputy General for Operations of the Operations Command, Brigadier General Carlos Prada Larrea, as well as other Lebanese civilian, religious and military authorities.

The handover of the United Nations flag between Brigadier General Luis Jesús Fernández Herrero and Brigadier General Pablo Gómez Lera symbolises the transfer of responsibility in the performance of the mission that the BRILIB XL contingent will assume over the next six months.

In his address, General Gómez Lera thanked the departing contingent for the extraordinary work carried out, highlighted the importance of the mission carried out by UNIFIL in Lebanon, especially in the current security circumstances, and emphasised Spain's commitment to international peace and security. The new head of Sector East reiterated that Sector East is fully prepared and committed to carrying out the mission.

This is the sixth time that the Extremadura Brigade has deployed to Lebanon, in compliance with United Nations Resolution 1701 of August 11th 2006, approved by the United Nations Security Council.

The Multinational Brigade East, which is led by Spain, is made up of some 3,500 troops of 9 different nationalities (Argentina, Brazil, El Salvador, Spain, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Nepal and Serbia).