Serbian Armed Forces Contingent Formally Sent Off to the UN Mission in Lebanon

Saturday, 22.5.2021 | Multinational Operations

Today, in the barracks "National Hero Stevica Jovanović" in Pancevo, Serbian Armed Forces contingent was formally sent off to the United Nations operation in Lebanon, and will be deployed in this peace operation for the next six months.

The send off ceremony was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence, PhD Nebojsa Stefanovic and the Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, General Milan Mojsilović.

On this occasion, Minister Stefanović told the Serbian peacekeepers that he was convinced they will perform their tasks with honor and dedication and that they will represent Serbia in the best possible way by behaving as it is befits a Serbian soldier.

— You have gone through strict selections. It is not easy to be deployed in a peacekeeping mission and you know what it takes to fulfill all criteria to be considered for a mission at all. You, who are in front of us today, have been chosen as the best to represent the colors of our country — the minister pointed out.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence pointed out that our members will have numerous challenges in United Nations missions, especially in the mission which is the largest mission where the Serbian Armed Forces participate.

— You will have the opportunity to acquire new knowledge, you will have the opportunity to show what you learned during your military career and the opportunity to represent the Serbian military. Wherever I talked to foreign representatives from those partner countries that participate in peacekeeping missions with us, all without distinction have always emphasized one thing, and that is that members of our military, wherever they are deployed in peacekeeping missions, are fully committed to their tasks and are among the best in each way. I expect you to make a full sacrifice and to represent the colors of our country with dignity, as befits the Republic of Serbia — Minister Stefanović pointed out in his address.

— I wish you a safe trip, military luck and successful execution of all tasks! Long live the Serbian Armed Forces! Long live Serbia! — said the Minister of Defence.

Major Zoran Cvejić, commander of the infantry company, received the state flag from the hands of Minister Nebojsa Stefanović, and thanked for the given honor.

— This sacred thing obliges us to perform all tasks responsibly and with sacrifice, guarding the honor of the Serbian soldier. I assure you we will proudly represent the Serbian Armed Forces — said Major Cvejić.

Members of the Serbian Armed Forces have been deployed in the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon since December 2010. Out of a total of 177 members of our Military deployed in the UNIFIL mission, 142 will be replaced within this rotation. Majority of this number consists of members of the infantry company from the 1st Army Brigade.