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‘Guardia Civil’ in Lebanon: specific and technical work that enhances the capabilities of the Spanish contingent

In Marjayoun, Lebanon
February 4, 2025
  • The ‘Guardia Civil’ unit deployed in Lebanon reinforces the protection and security of the BRILIB XLII contingent

Due to the characteristics of the mission, the work carried out by the Spanish Armed Forces in Lebanon—within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) / Lebanon Brigade—needs to be complemented by other capabilities, such as those performed by the ‘Guardia Civil’ in national territory. In particular, this contribution enables the execution of purely police functions, including traffic control, fiscal oversight, and judicial police duties. As Commander Pablo Estevan Barceló, Provost Marshal of the operation, points out: "Our work here is yet another example that the ‘Guardia Civil’ and the Spanish Army are not separate institutions, but rather two fundamental pillars that complement each other to serve Spain and the international community."

As for the work they perform in the Lebanon Brigade, the ‘Civil Guard’ team is divided into two main branches. On the one hand, the Provost Marshal, who is the security, police and public order advisor to the Chief General of Brigade Lebanon as head of UNIFIL Sector East. In addition, as Police Chief of the Spanish contingent, he is also in charge of liaison with the Lebanese security forces, while participating in the coordination of investigations and actions carried out by the Military Police Unit.

On the other hand, they form the Military Police Unit (MPU) of the contingent. The MPU is subdivided into the Close Protection Team, responsible for escorting the Commanding General and the authorities assigned to them, and the Multipurpose Team, which includes the Traffic, Public Prosecution and Judicial Police units. In this way, the tasks of these specialized units are not very different from those they carry out in the national territory: "Their military nature and their extensive deployment throughout the national geography make the ‘Guardia Civil’ an effective military police capable of performing the tasks provided for in the doctrine and logistics of the campaign", emphasizes the head of the UPM, Commander David Bel Valdivia.

Also, as in Spain, the Traffic Unit is responsible for ensuring compliance with road safety regulations, as well as for carrying out any traffic incident involving Spanish personnel.

On the other hand, the fiscal section of the team is responsible for overseeing the control of shipments and receptions between national territory and the area of operations. Additionally, it manages the administrative procedures for the opening of containers and packages when Maritime Transport Lines (LTM) and Air Transport Lines (LTA) operations take place at the port and airport of Beirut.

Finally, the Judicial Police is responsible for investigating incidents or events that occur in the BRILIB's area of responsibility. Since the deployment of BRILIB XLII in mid-November, this ‘Guardia Civil’ unit in Lebanon has carried out more than 170 services. This demonstrates the demanding nature of the functions assumed and the level of trust the command has in assigning these tasks, as well as the perfect coordination between the Army and the Guardia Civil in areas of operations outside national territory.

Spain in UNIFIL

The Spanish Armed Forces deployed to Lebanon in September 2006. The bulk of the contingent in Operation Libre Hidalgo is at the ‘Miguel de Cervantes’ base, near the town of Marjayoun where the Spanish-led Sector East headquarter is located. There are also Spanish troops at the mission's headquarters in Naqoura.

There are currently more than 650 Spanish military personnel deployed in UNIFIL to ensure compliance with UN Resolution 1701. Despite the peace agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon in November 2024, the security situation is extremely fragile.

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