UNIFIL, Lebanese Army wrap up live-fire drill

U.N. peacekeepers and the Lebanese Army on Saturday wrapped up their five-day military exercise in southern Lebanon Saturday. Hundreds of U.N. personnel and Lebanese soldiers took part in the drill at a military camp belonging to the U.N. Interim Forces in Lebanon in Deir Kifa, near the southern port city of Tyre. The exercise simulates the arrest of saboteurs at a security checkpoint who have threatened the security forces. The drill ended with both UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army suffering a number of casualties before bringing the situation under their control. Philippe François, head of the Force Commander’s Reserve, which operates under the direct command of the general commander of UNIFIL, said the aim of the exercise was to “push the Lebanese Army forward in its peacekeeping mission.” (daily star)