Robles stresses the need for Spanish troops in Lebanon and the Horn of Africa in the interests of international stability

"Totally necessary in times of high international instability": with these words the Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles, backed the work of the Spanish Armed Forces deployed in Lebanon and the Horn of Africa, after holding a videoconference with the commanders of both deployments.

"Conflicts continue to make the work of our Armed Forces necessary to preserve peace and security," stressed the Minister of Defence, who reiterated Spain's commitment to all the international coalitions in which it is involved. The meetings were led by the second-in-command of the Operations Command, Vice Admiral Enrique Núñez de Prado.

The minister first met with the head of BRILIB XLV, Brigadier General Antonio Ortiz. This contingent, generated on the basis of the 'Roncesvalles' Mountain Troops Command in Pamplona, began its mission on 10 May in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The contingent is in a period of adaptation at a time of high tension in the region, and General Ortiz wanted to send a message of calm: "The scenario may be uncertain, but the situation is not worrying for us. The staff is very committed and motivated," he said. She stressed that the mission is working to restore the mission's activities, including medical care, as it carries out work that is highly appreciated by the population.

Atalanta, very relevant for maritime security

The Minister of Defence then addressed the commanders of the frigates 'Canarias' and 'Numancia', which are participating in operation 'Atalanta' and which in a few days will be handed over as part of one of the European Union's main maritime security operations.

Frigate Captain Juan David García, commander of the frigate 'Canarias', has pointed out that piracy continues to take place in the area. For this reason, Robles stressed that "this mission is still absolutely necessary for the EU, as the increase in these incidents shows that piracy has not been eradicated".

Piracy in the Horn of Africa has experienced a remarkable resurgence, as Somali criminal groups have taken advantage of political instability, military escalation in the Middle East and the security vacuum, as well as the redirection of several countries' naval forces to the Persian Gulf.

Against this backdrop, the minister thanked the crew for their excellent work, and wished the commander of the frigate 'Numancia', frigate captain Álvaro Calderón, the best of luck. "I am sure that they will continue to leave the Spanish flag flying high," she said. This is the fifth time the 'Numancia' has deployed on this mission.

Robles also spoke with the head of the Air and Space Army's 'Orion' Tactical Air Detachment, Lieutenant Colonel Ángel Francisco Hazas, who, from Djibouti, contributes to the fight against piracy and the protection of maritime traffic in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. The detachment, which will soon redeploy its units for the summer monsoon period, has conducted 26 missions during this deployment.

Non official translation