Motion to extend deployment of Turkish troops in UN's Lebanon peacekeeping mission reaches parliament

By Aynur Ekiz

ANKARA (AA) – A motion to extend for another year the Turkish military's contributions to UN peacekeepers in Lebanon was submitted Friday to the Turkish parliament.

The motion signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan notes that under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and a Turkish decision from 2006, Türkiye has contributed troops to UNIFIL force in Lebanon. The current authorization lasts through Oct. 31.

Türkiye has taken on an important function in effective implementation of peacekeeping operations through its contributions to UNIFIL, it said.

"In this context, Türkiye's contribution has served to increase visibility among all sectors of Lebanese society, both within the UN system and at regional and global levels, through comprehensive civil-military cooperation activities, as well as to sustain its policy for maintaining peace and stability. Therefore, it is assessed that continuing our contribution to UNIFIL is of great importance," it said.

UNIFIL's mandate has been extended by the UN Security Council until the end of next August.

The motion requests that, considering bilateral relations with Lebanon and current security conditions, Turkish Armed Forces units participate in UNIFIL for another year starting Oct. 31, 2024, in line with the UN Security Council decision to extend UNIFIL's mandate.

The scope and amount of Turkish military units will be determined by the president, who will also make necessary arrangements.