The first contingent of the National Army was deployed in Lebanon (video)

CHISINAU, February 14, 2023 — Today, the National Army deployed the first contingent in the peacekeeping mission in the Republic of Lebanon — the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

On this occasion, a ceremony took place on the set of Military Camp 142, attended by the President of the Republic of Moldova, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Maia Sandu, the Acting Minister of Defense, Anatolie Nosatîi, the Italian Ambassador to Chisinau, H.E. Lorenzo Tomassoni, the Chief of the Defense Staff of the Republic of Italy, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Moldova, Simon Springett, military attachés, as well as military relatives.

“The Republic of Moldova is committed to contributing to the strengthening of international security. Today, for the first time for our country, a contingent of 32 Moldovan soldiers is participating in such a UN mission, not as observers, but as peacekeepers. Through you, the Republic of Moldova participates in the mission of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon”, said President Maia Sandu in her speech.

Acting Minister of Defense, Anatolie Nosatîi, declared that UNIFIL is the first UN mission in which the Republic of Moldova participates with a contingent of soldiers trained in accordance with international standards.

“It was a long-held desire, and today I am honored to know that our soldiers are ready to go to Lebanon to fulfill the mission of protecting civilians. Together with 47 other countries you will contribute to maintaining peace and security. I am sure that you will fulfill this mission with honor and responsibility. Strictly fulfill the rules of security and application of force”, said Anatolie Nosatîi in his address to the Moldovan military.

The official added that our soldiers will operate within the area of responsibility of the command of the Italian forces, just like in the KFOR mission in Kosovo. “We thank our Italian partners for the opportunity to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security. The support of our Italian colleagues is very important for us”, declared Minister Nosatîi.

The Italian Ambassador to Chisinau mentioned, during the ceremony: “For many years, Italy and Moldova have been creating, together, a tested combination in the field of international peacekeeping missions, characterized by efficiency and effectiveness. Together, we export security to the world on a global scale. Our common success is certainly rooted in the fraternal friendship that closely binds our peoples, so close to each other in linguistic and cultural characteristics. These roots are fed, at the technical-professional level, by the interoperability acquired together over the years through joint participation in the NATO mission”.

For his part, the resident coordinator of the UN Moldova specified that “each member of the United Nations Organization has an exceptional role in ensuring that no person is left alone in the face of difficulties. By participating in international peacekeeping missions, the Republic of Moldova contributes to achieving this goal. Your deployment gives us the opportunity to appreciate the sacrifice of those who carry out missions for a noble cause — that of being on the front lines of global peacekeeping.”

It should be noted that the first UNIFIL contingent of the National Army is made up of 32 professional soldiers, who will perform security and guarding missions of military objectives and patrolling the area of responsibility. They will be part of the Italian contingent.

UNIFIL is the first operation under the auspices of the UN to which the Republic of Moldova deploys a military contingent. Previously, the National Army participated in UN peacekeeping missions with only military observers and staff officers.

The decision to deploy in the UNIFIL mission was approved by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova in November 2021.

The first four Moldovan officers left for the peacekeeping operation in the Republic of Lebanon in August 2022, where they are currently working in the General Staff of the mission command. The mandate of the peacekeepers lasts 6 months.