President of the Republic inspects crisis management forces in Lebanon

Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic

President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö and the Lebanese President Michel Sleiman inspecting the honorary contingent. On the President’s right is the battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Kari Nisula. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
Press Release 10/2014
12 March 2014

On Wednesday 12 March 2014, in the company of President of Lebanon Michel Sleiman, President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö inspected the Finnish crisis management force participating in the UN’s UNIFIL operation in South Lebanon.

Around 350 Finnish peacekeepers are serving in this operation.  Since last November, Finland has been in command of the Finnish-Irish battalion in the At Tiri area.
President Niinistö was introduced to the battalion’s operations, camp and observation posts along the border between Lebanon and Israel.

President Niinistö also met the UNIFIL Force Commander, Major- General Paolo Serra, and Finnish and Irish peacekeepers.

“The peacekeepers clearly take their assignment very seriously and are extremely committed. The situation is very delicate, and action is needed on a wide front to prevent further escalation. The peacekeepers’ work is highly sensitive,” President Niinistö pointed out.

Finland has participated in the UNIFIL operation on three occasions since 1982. Approximately 12,000 Finnish peacekeepers have served in Lebanon over a period of four decades. In the current operation, the UN peacekeeping forces monitor the border between Lebanon and Israel, support the Lebanese armed forces and offer assistance to the local population.

The Lebanese President, Michel Sleiman, welcomed President Niinistö in At Tiri and participated in the inspection of an honorary contingent of the battalion. During the inspection, the presidents engaged in a brief discussion.

The presidents will meet again in Beirut on Thursday, 13 March, for official bilateral talks. They will discuss issues such as Finnish-Lebanese relations and the regional effects of the Syrian crisis. In addition, the programme will include meetings with Mr Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

President Niinistö will return to Finland on the night preceding Friday 14 March.

Pictures

 President Niinistö in conversation with peacekeeper Lauri Peltonen during a maintenance flight to Lebanon. Some troops were returning from a vacation in Finland, but others were deploying on their first peacekeeping assignment. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic  President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö and the Lebanese President Michel Sleiman inspecting the honorary contingent. On the President's right is the battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Kari Nisula. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic  President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö and the Lebanese President Michel Sleiman inspecting the honorary contingent. On the President's right is the battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Kari Nisula. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic
 Chefs for the crisis management forces Sonja Niemi (left), Lauri Leppäkoski, Elias Saura and Roni Pohjalainen. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic President Sleiman and President Niinistö engaged in discussion at the Finnish base. The official meeting between the presidents will be held on 13 March. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic  Accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Kari Nisula, President Niinistö inspects the Finnish crisis management force taking part in the UN's UNIFIL operation in South Lebanon. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic
 At the base, President Niinistö met with Finnish peacekeepers.  Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic  A total of 338 Finnish peacekeepers serve in the operation: 320 men and 18 women. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic  President Niinistö visiting the Finnish peacekeepers' observation post UNP 6-50. Since last November, Finland has been in command of the Finnish-Irish battalion in the At Tiri area. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic
 In the current operation, the UN peacekeeping forces are monitoring the border between Lebanon and Israel, providing support to the Lebanese armed forces and offering assistance to the local population. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic In the photo: president and peacekeeper. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic  The President looking out towards the border at Irish observation post UNP 6-52. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic
 President Niinistö and the UNIFIL Force Commander, Major-General Paolo Serra. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic  The President signing the camp's guestbook. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic