The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, reaffirmed this Wednesday in the Defense Commission of Congress Spain’s commitment to redress the situation in Lebanon and has warned of the difficult situation of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), led by a Spanish general and in which there are more than 650 soldiers from Spain.
Robles has asked “not to allow Lebanon to be a new Afghanistan” after the escalation in armed clashes between Israel and the Shiite group Hezbollah, which, according to the minister, “often have uncooperative attitudes.” The Defense Minister reminded the deputies present the failure of the international community in the Asian countryin which “Spain paid a high price in human lives and where, unfortunately, women” when they are not silenced are murdered.
The minister has indicated that although the blue helmets are not targeted by Israel or Hezbollah, they are deployed in an area where armed clashes are taking place, so the risk of “collateral damage is permanent”. To date, the fighting has caused nine injuries of various degrees to UNIFIL troops, although none of them are Spaniards.
Currently, the minister explained, the Israeli army has crossed the Blue Line (the imaginary line that separates this country and Lebanon) in several axes, and is fighting with Hezbollah militias. The penetrations – he said – are estimated at about 2-3 kilometers on each axis. According to him, some positions have come under fire from the Israeli army, “probably with the intent to destroy recording media by images, which has been condemned by some countries, including Spain”.
Robles has praised the “absolutely commendable” work carried out by the Spanish military in Lebanon who, due to the current situation, are forced to increase their own protection while continuing to fulfill their mission.
In this situation, he said, the mission is “more indispensable than ever” and has indicated that its future is linked to that of the Lebanese Armed Forces. In fact, a video conference will be held tomorrow, at the request of Italy, to analyze how all countries can strengthen Lebanon’s armed forces, he reported.
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