Austrian Foreign Minister Visits Our Peacekeeping Troops in Lebanon
On October 3, 2018, Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl visited the 184 Austrian troops, who currently serve as UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) peacekeepers in the Middle East.
She furthermore met with the Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col to discuss the mission’s mandate, especially the enhanced duties under the UN Security Council resolution 1701, which include accompanying and supporting the Lebanese armed forces.
Austrian Foreign Minister visits the contingent of Austrian soldiers, who have been contributing to the peacekeeping and stabilizing efforts of UNIFIL since 2011
During their meeting, Major General Stefano Del Col expressed his appreciation for the support of the Austrian government. Since 2011, Austrian troops have been contributing to the peacekeeping and stabilizing efforts of this particular UN mission in south Lebanon. UNIFIL’s force consists of around 10,500 peacekeepers from 41 troop-contributing countries.
UNIFIL Chief Stefano Del Co extends the mission’s appreciation for the support of the Austrian government to Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl
Back Story
Since 1960 more than 100,000 Austrian troops have been participating in more than 50 international peace support and humanitarian missions under the umbrella of the United Nations, the EU, NATO Partnership for Peace and the OSCE. Currently almost 1,000 Austrian soldiers serve in 14 missions abroad.
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Chart & Photos 4-6 (c) Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence