Since December 4, Shama military base in Lebanon has been entirely under the protection of Armenian peacekeepers. Within the framework of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) operation, the contingent comprising 32 Armenian peacekeepers left for Lebanon on November 26.

In an interview with Mediamax Commander of Armenian Peacekeeping Contingent to Lebanon, Major Artash Danielyan said before leaving for the mission site the Armenian peacekeepers received one month training.

“At first, only three of us left for Lebanon. We visited Shama military base where our contingent was to be deployed and got acquainted with the conditions. We returned to Armenia and then the Armenian contingent comprising 32 peacekeepers, among them 28 servicemen, three officers and commanders of three detachments departed from Armenia to serve in Lebanon”, said Major Danielyan.

Immediately after the arrival, the Armenian contingent received a training course of a week’s duration and was introduced to the military base’s security rules, the overall area and to other foreign peacekeepers serving there.

On the second day, a solemn ceremony took place during which the Armenian national anthem was played and the Armenian Tricolor was hoisted.  The commander of the military base who is also the commander of the Western sector, and other foreign peacekeepers were present at the ceremony.

Following the one-week training, the Armenian contingent undertook its peacekeeping mission and presently protects Shama military base.

Ready for any scenario

Before the Armenian peacekeepers arrived in Shama, the military base was under the protection of contingents from various countries that were on round-the-clock duty on weekly basis.

“Since our arrival in the military base, it has been fully under our protection. It implies control of watch-towers and defensive points, checking vehicles entering and going out through the main entrance, night patrols and accompanying people visiting the military base”, the Commander of the Armenian Contingent told Mediamax.

According to him, the situation in Lebanon is fickle but Armenian peacekeepers demonstrate maximum vigilance during their daily service and are ready for any scenario.

All peacekeepers who left for Lebanon are experienced and have already become versed in their work owing to peacekeeping missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan.

Shama military base has already witnessed the experience and high and vocational preparation of the Armenian contingent.

Armenian peacekeepers have excelled in pilot exercises in the military base by excellently completing the task in 18 minutes instead of the set 30 minutes.

“We accomplish our tasks for 100%. The high appraisals our contingent receives from the representatives of the Italian Command and of other countries testify to it. We take our work very seriously, and they can see it”, said Artash Danielyan.

Armenian-Italian understanding

The Italian Command under which our peacekeepers serve in Lebanon has warmly welcomed our contingent in Shama military base.

According to Artash Danielyan, since the very first day Armenians and Italians have established warm partnership. Commander of Armenian Contingent Artash Danielyan’s military education in Italy and his excellent knowledge of Italian have also greatly contributed to it.

“We were very warmly welcomed. We can even say that the understanding between us and the Italians rests on perfect grounds”, noted the Commander.

On the whole, Armenian peacekeepers are happy with the service conditions. The Italian Command takes care of their food.

“The food is really great; Italians cook truly well. We were offered to cook Armenian dishes for the entire military base once or twice a month. We will beyond doubt show them how to cook Armenian foods, but let them do the rest”, joked the Commander.

One of the best ways to establish communication between the peacekeepers is national cuisine. Artash Danielyan noted he has observed great interest for the part of foreign peacekeepers to the Armenian contingent.

“They are trying to know us and our country and are eager to learn more about what we were engaged in before our mission in Lebanon. There were cases when certain peacekeepers approached us saying they read this or that thing about Armenia and Armenian people the night before”, he said.

Internet helps our peacekeepers maintain regular contact with their families and relatives.

“We are the soldiers of our motherland. Today our servicemen in the front line uphold Armenia’s peace and security. We do the same. We represent Armenia here and it has its own input in the maintenance of international peace and security. With honor – is how we will perform our service”, assured Artash Danielyan.

Yekaterina Poghosyan