Spanish Defense Minister visits Lebanon to meet UNIFIL troops

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles is traveling to Lebanon to visit Spanish troops deployed in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The visit coincides with the 20th anniversary of Spain's participation in the peacekeeping mission.

Robles will visit the Miguel de Cervantes base near Marjayoun, which serves as the headquarters for the Eastern Sector led by Spain, as well as the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura. The current Spanish contingent consists of approximately 600 to 700 military personnel. This deployment, the Brilib XLV brigade, will be the final relief of Spanish troops under the current UNIFIL mandate, which is set to conclude on December 31.

Looking ahead, the Spanish government has proposed a European Union mission to succeed UNIFIL in Lebanon. The mission operates in a high-risk environment due to increased Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon, where Spanish troops monitor the Blue Line and collaborate with the Lebanese Armed Forces.