Margarita Robles reiterates - in Lebanon - the Spanish mission's commitment to peace and security in the region
News - 2025.12.16
The Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles, addresses the Spanish contingent deployed in Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force
The Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles, who has begun a two-day visit to Lebanon, stressed in a meeting with the Spanish contingent that, at a particularly sensitive time for the stability of the region, its work continues to be essential for the security of the area.
Robles addressed the members of BRILIB XLIV, which deployed at the end of November for a six-month period, under the command of Brigadier General Antonio Ramón Bernal. This is the largest peacekeeping mission to which Spain contributes, with almost 700 soldiers, the vast majority of whom come from the 'Guadarrama' XII Brigade (BRI XII).
The minister, who was accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff (JEMAD), Admiral General Teodoro López Calderón, travelled to the 'Miguel de Cervantes' base in Marjayoun, where most of the Spanish military personnel are based. There, she received the latest mission updates from the head of BRILIB, General Bernal.
The defence minister reiterated in a speech to the personnel that Spain's participation in UNIFIL "consolidates Spain as a reliable and responsible partner in the maintenance of international peace and security", and attended two acts of decoration and tribute to the fallen.
Spain leads the Multinational Brigade East in the area, made up of some 3,500 troops of seven different nationalities (India, Nepal, Indonesia, Serbia, El Salvador, Brazil and Spain). The Spanish contingent, which reached a maximum of 1,100 soldiers, has remained between 600 and 700 since 2012. Until last June, Spain held the command of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
At present, and following a ceasefire agreement reached on 24 November 2024, the situation in the area remains unstable and calm.
In this context and by means of a resolution approved last August, the UN established the end of UNIFIL operations for 31 December 2026, and the withdrawal of forces throughout 2027. In reference to this issue, the Minister for Defence stated that, should this termination take place, Spain's will is to maintain its support for the Lebanese Government and the Lebanese Armed Forces until the appropriate conditions are met.
As an international contribution, BRILIB XLIV includes a company from Serbia, a section from El Salvador and, lastly, military personnel from Brazil, who are integrated into the General Headquarters.
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The UN mission in Lebanon is tasked with monitoring the cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel and accompanying and assisting the Lebanese Armed Forces in the south of the country and along the separation between the two states, the so-called Blue Line. It also ensures humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons, in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Spain has been participating in the UNIFIL mission since 2006, with the aim of contributing to the implementation of UN Resolution 1701 to maintain international peace and security and to help the Lebanese government re-establish its authority in the area.
The minister also reminded the Spanish blue helmets of the gratitude of both the government and the Lebanese people for their work, which they define as "irreplaceable".
The bulk of the contingent in operation 'Libre Hidalgo' is at the 'Miguel de Cervantes' base, and there are also Spanish personnel at the mission's headquarters in Naqoura. In addition to the UN mission, Spain has two mobile training teams deployed in Lebanon, one of them permanently in Sidon, where it works alongside the French contingent, and the other temporarily in Beirut.
Non official translation