Rio de Janeiro – Frigate Liberal, of the Brazil navy, which spent eight months in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), returns to Rio de Janeiro on Sunday (17). The vessel served as the command base for the task force, on the Lebanese coast, from May 2012 to January this year, when it started its return to Brazil.
The Brazilian navy started commanding the task force in November 2011. Until May 2012, the command base of the force was frigate União, the first Brazilian vessel to participate in a United Nations (UN) peace mission.
During the mission in Lebanon, frigate Liberal went on patrol for 120 days, approached 661 vessels and sent 266 merchant marine vessels for inspection by Lebanese authorities. The vessel was replaced by frigate Constituição, also belonging to the Brazilian navy, on January 16th.
On return to Brazil, Frigate Liberal first docked at Natal Navy Base, on February 9th. It is now sailing down the Brazilian coast, towards Rio de Janeiro. Over 250 navy personnel participated in the mission.
The task force is composed of nine vessels belonging to five nations, apart from Brazil. It was established in 2006, at the request of the government of Lebanon, with the objective of stunting the entry of non-authorised armament into the country and to contribute to safety in Southern Lebanon. Brazilian participation was approved by Brazil’s Lower House in December 2010.
*Translated by Mark Ament
