Serbia deploys new peacekeepers to UN mission in Lebanon
Minister of Defence of Serbia Bratislav Gašić welcomed members of the Serbian Armed Forces returning from their deployment with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at Konstantin Veliki Airport in Niš, and saw off the new contingent of Serbian peacekeepers who are deploying to the mission for a period of six months.
The welcome ceremony for the Serbian peacekeepers began with a minute’s silence to honour Staff Sergeant Milovan Jovanović of the Second Army Brigade, who was tragically killed while serving with the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, CE Report informs via the Serbian Ministry of Defence's official website.
Minister Gašić thanked the members of the Serbian Armed Forces and commended them for their sacrifice, and for carrying out their duties professionally and responsibly in Lebanon’s complex security environment.
Today, an infantry company from the Third Army Brigade deployed to UNIFIL, where it will serve as part of the Spanish contingent in Sector East over the next six months, supporting the mission’s peacekeeping efforts.
Addressing the new contingent, Minister Gašić noted that serving in a peacekeeping operation is one of the most responsible tasks a soldier can face during the course of their professional career.
- It is a test of your training, professionalism, mental and physical strength, as well as proof of your readiness to serve both your country and the greater good under the blue flag of the United Nations. Through their participation in multinational operations, the Serbian Armed Forces have built a reputation as a dependable, responsible, and professional partner. That reputation has not been earned by chance but through our personnel’s knowledge, discipline, dedication, and execution of every task. They have earned the respect of our international partners through their service and represented the Republic of Serbia with distinction - the Minister of Defence said.
He expressed his belief that, through their knowledge and responsible conduct, members of the new contingent would further strengthen Serbia's excellent reputation within the international community.
- Will it be easy? No, it will not. We are all aware of that, particularly in light of the recent tragedy in which we lost our colleague, Staff Sergeant Milovan Jovanović, an exemplary non-commissioned officer. His death is the most painful reminder of the dangers and responsibilities that military profession entails. Unfortunately, this tragedy was a consequence of the serious security situation in the UNIFIL mission’s area of responsibility, and you were fully aware of the circumstances when you signed up for this deployment. That decision speaks to your professionalism and commitment to service, and for that I would like to once again express my deepest respect - Minister Gašić said.
Stressing that the personnel had successfully completed extremely demanding pre-deployment training and had prepared for every possible scenario, Minister Gašić reminded them that their safety must be their number one priority.
- From the moment you assume your duties until you return home to Serbia, it is important that you remain fully committed to both the mission’s mandate and to preserving your lives and your well-being. You owe that not only to yourselves, but also to your families, your armed forces, and your country. Over the next six months, you will be more than a unit. You will be a family. Look after one another, help one another as brothers and sisters – Minister Gašić said.
The Minister of Defence told the officers to command their troops in accordance with regulations and the highest moral principles, stressing that only in this way would their decisions carry authority and their leadership have the desired effect. He also encouraged all peacekeepers to wear the insignia of our country and armed forces with pride.
- May Serbia be remembered through your actions as a country of good and honest people. I wish you every success in your deployment with the peacekeeping mission. May you remain safe from every danger and return to your families safely, proud of having served both Serbia and world peace – the Minister of Defence emphasised.
The rotation ceremony was attended by the Army Commander, Major General Zoran Nasković, the Head of the Operations Department of the General Staff, Brigadier General Vladan Milosavljević, the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Nikola Matović, the Commander of the Second Army Brigade, Brigadier General Nebojša Nedeljković, and the Commander of the Third Army Brigade, Colonel Saša Todorov.
Photo Serbian Ministry of Defence
