UNIFIL review calls for stronger Lebanese Army

A strategic review of the United Nations’ peacekeeping operations in Lebanon called for increased involvement of the government in security operations in the south, a stronger Lebanese Army and possibly a future force reduction. The report from the secretary-general addressed to the UN Security Council was released this month and concludes a four-month-long review aimed at determining how the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon can better carry out its mandate as specified in Resolution 1701, which put an end to the 2006 summer war with Israel. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon specifies three areas the strategic review identified as priorities: better communication between U.N. bodies working with UNIFIL, more Lebanon government involvement and increased Lebanese Army military abilities. The report also suggested the force could continue to decrease in size from its current level of around 12,000 peacekeepers to a “leaner but no less capable force.” After a bombing late last year that wounded members of their peacekeeping contingent, French officials recently announced a 400 soldier reduction in their contribution to UNIFIL. Over the past several years a number of other Western contingents have also reduced their contributions. The military review portion of the study suggested UNIFIL increase peacekeeping-related activities and refocus their attention on the Blue Line. To increase Lebanese involvement, Ban asked to bring in external donors and greater UN involvement to help equip and train the Lebanese Army. Israeli and Lebanese officials, as well as the Security Council, have been briefed on the review’s findings. “The review identified a need for a formal assessment of the overall United Nations presence in Lebanon, with a view to optimizing the considerable human and material resources in the country,” the review stated.         A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Daily Star on March 29, 2012, on page 3.