Brasília – Brazilian navy frigate União, to lead the navy fleet of the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (Unifil) docked into Beirut Port on Monday (14), starting a "historic moment for Brazil", according to Brazilian counter-admiral Luiz Henrique Caroli. In an interview to BBC Brazil on board the vessel, Caroli said that the participation in the UN navy is crucial for Brazil due to the importance of the region in the international scenery, apart from demonstrating the organisation’s confidence in the competence of Brazilian military forces for this kind of operation.
"The entire crew knows the enormous responsibility it is to be part of a UN peace force and of the historic moment it is for Brazil to be here,” said the counter admiral, who is the commander of the Unifil’s Maritime Task Force (MTF).
This is the first time that Brazilian forces participate in a navy fleet of a peace force. Equipped with a helicopter and taking 243 Brazilian navy men, União will be the main vessel of an international fleet that also counts on three German vessels, two from Bangladesh, one Greek, one Turkish and one from Indonesia.
The commander of the vessel, frigate captain Ricardo Fernandes Gomes, pointed out that the crew is aware “of the political repercussions surrounding the Unifil and of the consequences of his actions.”
"We are all motivated and aware of the demands involved in being part of peace forces in an area of conflict like the Middle East,” he said. “For this, the Brazilian navy is providing all financial and logistical support so we may play a part at the same level.”
Both officers explain that incorporation of frigate União should increase the reach of the Unifil fleet, as the vessel has more resources, allowing for greater coverage, apart from greater flexibility in operations.
To be part of the Unifil, the Brazilian troops underwent training turned to specific peace force operations as well as taking courses and sitting talks. “One third of the crew underwent internships in Unifil peace operations. And Brazilian military personnel in Lebanon gave talks to our navy crews about the country and life among the peace corps,” said Gomes.
He explained that simulations of peaceful boarding of vessels and of the use of force to inspect them were also executed, with the employment of special force divers who are now part of the frigate’s team. As the UN requires that peace force members be volunteers, the crew needed some replacements, said Gomes. "Around 5% of the crew did not volunteer due to personal reasons and another 10% was given leave to take courses that were scheduled previously.”
The Brazilian mission officially began in February, when Caroli was put in charge of the Unifil maritime unit. Currently, the mission monitors the border between Lebanon and Israel and helps the government of Lebanon to avoid the entry of illegal weapons in the country. The MTF patrols the Lebanese waters to avoid violation of the arms embargo imposed on Lebanon, as well as training that country’s navy. The MTF was established in a UN Security Council resolution in 2006.
The Unifil, in turn, was established in 1978 to supervise the removal of Israeli troops from Lebanon after a crisis between both countries. It currently includes over 12,000 officers from 37 countries.
According to the Brazilian ambassador to Lebanon, Paulo Roberto Tarrisse da Fontoura, relations between Brazil and Lebanon should also be strengthened with the presence of the frigate. “The government of Lebanon has very close ties with Brazil and knows that we have the necessary competence for good work.”
According to Fontoura, the government of Brazil knows that the Unifil is a fundamental instrument for the Lebanese state to acquire sovereignty of its territory. "The country lived a civil war, Israeli occupation up to 2000 and Syrian occupation up to 2005. The south of the country was inaccessible to the Lebanese and to the country government for a long time. Unifil is of great importance to help Lebanon gain sovereignty,” said the ambassador. “The presence of a Brazilian vessel is certainly of national pride and of great importance for Brazil.”
*Translated by Mark Ament
