LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) -The Maltese government confirmed that an evacuation plan is in place for the Maltese soldiers stationed in Lebanon, in case the present conflict intensifies.
Seven Maltese soldiers stationed in Lebanon, who voluntarily signed up for the six-month peacekeeping mission, are stationed close to the Israeli border. They are currently in Camp Shamrock together with Irish, Polish and Hungarian troops. The Maltese soldiers are part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission known as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) which has around 10,500 peacekeepers from 50 contributing countries.
The Home Affairs ministry stated it is in close contact with the Maltese soldiers and
is ensuring that they are given the support and assistance they need, as well as ensuring their safety.
The Home Affairs ministry announced that Malta adopted a joint declaration which was signed by 14 other EU Member States that are participating in UNIFIL.
Home affairs ministers of the EU member states that are also part of UNIFIL held a meeting on 16 October in which the situation along the Israel-Lebanon border was discussed.
The ministry said Malta insisted on the importance of prioritising the safety of UNIFIL soldiers. After the meeting, Malta together with Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Holland, Poland and Spain, adopted a declaration condemning the targeting of all UNIFIL peacekeepers and reminded that this was against the fundamental principles of international law.
In their declaration, the defence ministers of the member states of the EU contributing troops to UNIFIL expressed their grave concern regarding the escalation of violence along the blue line and the recent incidents targeting UNIFIL personnel and installations.
They also recalled that all actors have an obligation to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times.
Malta as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council is working closely with the EU and the international community to safeguard UNIFIL’s mandate.
Maltese soldiers have been participating in the peacekeeping mission since November 2018.
(ITALPRESS).
Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma
