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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Lebanon: United Nations mission helps quench forest fires |
| 2008-07-24 |
| The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is helping the countryÂ’s authorities fight forest fires that have broken out southeast of the capital this week. UNIFIL on Wednesday dispatched a second helicopter after sending a first one late on Tuesday. The UN said its force responded immediately to a request from the Lebanese government to assist in the firefighting efforts, about 25 kilometres from Beirut. Forest fires are a recurring problem in Lebanon, and devastated large tracts of woodland last year. Italy is one of the largest contributors to UNIFIL, with 2,500 Italian peacekeeping troops deployed in Lebanon. UNIFIL has been operating in Lebanon since 1978. After the July 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon, UN Security Resolution 1701 increased the force to some 12,300 troops. Resolution 1701 forged a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. It authorised up to 15,000 peacekeepers to be stationed in Lebanon, supported by international and local civilian staff. |
| Posted by:anonymous5089 |
| #1 Holy smoke batman! Someone finally found a use for Italian peace keepers! |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2008-07-24 11:59 |