Lebanon: Italian Blue Helmets train with the Lebanese Armed Forces

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The Blue Helmets of Alpine Brigade “Taurinense”, deployed in Lebanon since February within UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), concluded the first week of joint training with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) at Chawakeer training area, in the vicinity of Tyre.

Task Force “ITALBATT”, based on 3rd Alpine Troops Regiment, conducted a one-week mountain climbing session, as agreed with LAF 5th Brigade command, focusing on becoming acquainted with the equipment and basic vertical surface climbing techniques, for both ascent and descent.  

The joint training activity, beside allowing exchange of experience and knowledge, makes it possible for the individual soldier to increase exponentially his/her professional background.

The difficulty level of the subsequent training phases will be increasingly higher, to meet the objective of having climbing instructors able to autonomously train personnel and smaller units of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Within the excellent cooperation in the field between the Alpine Troops deployed with UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces, training opportunities are conducted within the frame work of LAF Support and Assistance Activities, as provided for by Resolution 1701 of the UN Security Council, aiming to contribute to both containing current across-the-border hostilities and seeking higher stability conditions in southern Lebanon. 

Activities in the theatre of operations are conducted under the coordination of, and according to the directions of the Italian Joint Operations Command (COVI).