BRILIB XLII provides information to the local population on how to act in the event of unexploded munitions and explosive devices
27 March 2025 - As part of Spain's ongoing commitment to the Lebanese people, the Spanish blue helmets of the UNIFIL contingent in the Eastern Sector—led by Spain—continue their awareness-raising efforts. This time, through a series of educational conferences aimed at increasing knowledge of the management of unexploded ordnance (UXO), which poses a serious threat to the security of the entire population in southern Lebanon, particularly south of the Litani River.
The sessions seek to deepen the local community's understanding of the danger posed by various types of explosive devices that may be found in the region, while also providing essential guidance on how to react if such devices are found.
In the critical realm of Lebanese population security, which is the cornerstone of UN Security Council Resolution 1701/2006, this initiative addresses the need to mitigate the risks associated with the presence of explosives in southern Lebanon. Special attention is focused on teenagers, parents, and educators, who play a vital role in spreading a safety culture and promoting appropriate responses in emergency situations.
The outreach of this initiative has been highly successful, with over 70 people participating across various centers in the region. The conferences were not just theoretical; participants also witnessed interactive demonstrations of the equipment used by UNIFIL's EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) teams. These demonstrations included trained explosive detection dogs, specialized robots, protective suits, and a range of advanced tools used in the neutralization and safe handling of explosive devices.
Thanks to the positive reception of this initiative, work is already underway to expand the program to reach new towns and centers, allowing even more people to benefit from it. In this regard, UNIFIL is calling on all interested centers and communities to join this strategic effort, which constitutes a critical pillar in strengthening collective security and reducing risks in the region—benefiting the Lebanese population foremost.
BRILIB XLII: Spain in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
The Spanish Armed Forces deployed to Lebanon in September 2006. The bulk of the contingent in Operation Libre Hidalgo is stationed at the 'Miguel de Cervantes' base, near the town of Marjayoún, where the Eastern Sector Headquarters, led by Spain, is located. Within the framework of the Lebanon Brigade XLII (BRILIB XLII), under the command of Brigadier General Fernando Ruiz Gomez, more than 650 Spanish soldiers serve in UNIFIL, with the mission of ensuring compliance with United Nations Resolution 1701 in a highly unstable security situation, despite the peace agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon in November.