Welcoming the infantry company from UNIFIL multinational operation

A company from the 21st Infantry Battalion of the Land Forces 2nd Brigade from the UNIFIL multinational operation in Lebanon was given a ceremonial welcome at the Constantine the Great Airport in Nis today. The peacekeepers were welcomed by Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic and Head of the General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic with associates, families and friends of the members of the infantry company.

Minister Gasic welcomed the peacekeepers, and stressed that the Serbian contingent left the mission in Lebanon with the highest marks, conducted the most complex tasks and greatly contributed to preservation of peace and security.

- You have confirmed in the best way that Serbia and its Armed Forces are equal in the process of maintaining international law and peace. Another important message you have sent from the field riddled for decades with tensions and conflicts is that the Armed Forces of Serbia is a professional, serious and, above all, a neutral military force. This is why, in Lebanon, and other peacekeeping missions, we have earned the trust of participants of the mission and of the local residents. I was assured of this during my visit to the base you were located in, and I promised you then that I would welcome you when you returned from the mission. Now, just as then, I can tell you that I am very content because you have returned from your task richer by another great experience – Minister of Defence said.

- Serbia is in our hearts, its integrity is our priority; training and preparedness of the Serbian military are our main tasks. We continue with our devoted work and together look into the future with no fear. I am assured that there are great new results ahead of you, just like the ones you have achieved during your work in the past six months.

While addressing the media representatives, Minister Gasic said that Serbia now has over 500 members in peacekeeping operations, which had not happened for the last fifteen years, and announced that the expected number of peacekeepers for the next year is over 650.

- Serbia is becoming a significant security exporter in the world. It is eighth in Europe for its participation in peacekeeping operations, and our motive is to gain new knowledge with our partners and apply it in training of our units. Certainly, no one here wishes to go back to being the importers of security as in the nineties; it is better to be the exporters – Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic said.

After the arrival of the peacekeepers, Head of the General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic said that, after their return from the mission in Lebanon, Serbian soldiers are richer by an experience and by friendships with other soldiers and officers, and, certainly, more capable for the tasks that await them here in our country.

Commander of the Serbian Contingent in Lebanon Major Stevan Stefanovic stressed that the impressions upon their return are mixed, and that everyone is happy and proud that they have conducted all their tasks well and professionally. “The nostalgia had taken its toll”, the infantry company Commander Major Goran Roganovic said, “but it did not affect our performance of the tasks, since we are professional soldiers. We have upgraded our skills in Lebanon by conducting tasks in a specific environment – religiously, culturally and politically-wise. He have responded in the best way and worthily represented our state and military”.

The company from the 21st Infantry Battalion of the Land Forces 2nd Brigade is the second unit of this level that has been deployed in Lebanon, and the confirmation of its successful work is given in UN medals presented to members of our military by Commander of the Sector East in the multinational operation Brigadier General Andres Chapa Huidobro.

Members of the infantry company of the First Army Brigade also headed from the Airport in Nis to the UNIFIL multinational operation in Lebanon, where they will replace their colleagues from the Second Army Brigade.