Members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) check damaged areas during the port explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 30, 2020. The UNIFIL deployed on Sunday a detachment of multinational force to Beirut in order to assist Lebanese authorities to deal with the aftermath of the August 4 explosions. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)
BEIRUT, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) deployed on Sunday a detachment of multinational force to Beirut in order to assist Lebanese authorities to deal with the aftermath of the August 4 explosions.
With a request from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), the deployment on early Sunday follows the authorization by the UN Security Council for the Mission to take "temporary and special measures" to provide support to Lebanon and its people after the explosions, according to a statement released by the UNIFIL.
The UNIFIL peacekeepers deployed to the Lebanese capital with heavy machinery and other equipment, it added.
The UNIFIL's assistance, which will be executed in three phases in about three weeks, is operational at the port as well as in the city center with an engineer-centered task force.
The support will mainly include clearing of debris and construction work in order to facilitate the rapid resumption of operations in the Beirut harbor.
UNIFIL Chief General Stefano Del Col said that it's a special moment for all UNIFIL members to be able to offer some tangible support to the population in need.
"It is important for a Mission like UNIFIL with over 10,000 troops to help the country that has hosted us for more than 42 years. This support is also in line with the recent call of the UN Security Council for a strengthened UNIFIL-LAF cooperation," he said. Enditem
