Lebanon's Maritime Task Force still going strong

摘要

Having formally commenced operations in October 2006, the Maritime Task Force (MTF) of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is the first naval force built by the UN charged with implementing a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution as part of peace support operations (PSOs).rnPatrolling a 5,000 n miles~2 (17,171 km~2) area of the eastern Mediterranean off Lebanon, the MTF has played a key role in the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1701, which helped end the 34-day war in July-August 2006 between Israel and Lebanon's militant Shia Hizbullah.rnThe resolution, in part, bans the transfer of weapons into Lebanon outside the jurisdiction of the Lebanese government. The MTF liaises closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), with contributing nations having donated vessels and technical equipment to the Lebanese navy and providing ongoing training and assistance.