LEBANON, Nov 24: Nepal Army has been patrolling the sensitive region bordering Israel under the UN peacekeeping mission. 

With the expansion of the ‘T Wall’ set up by Israel on the northern belt of Lebanon, Nepal Army is patrolling and monitoring the security sensitivity. 

NA's sentry is continuous at various six places- the hot spots- claimed by both countries as Sheikh Abbad Tomb, Soib Well and Olive field. Sheikh Abbad Tomb is as the crematory of their religious guru. Sheib Well is also considered holy by both countries. 

Tension between the two countries can run high once minor disputes erupt at border area. The NA team is working in coordination with Lebanese Armed Force. The transportation of people and cattle is also badly affected with minor disputes on border. So, the monitoring and reporting are conducted in unison. 

The Barakh battalion of Nepal Army, which had been serving here under the UN Interim Force for Lebanon, completed its 13 months task and handed over the responsibility to Ranashardul battalion amidst a function today. 

A total of 14 operations were conducted by the Barakh battalion. Now, the Ranashardul battalion is working to ensure visible presence of NA peace keeping force, strengthening country's image. 

The activities of the battalion are focused on the expansion and strengthening of relations with locals; operation of health camps as per the need, sanitation and renovation of historic sites, trees transplant and distribution of stationery materials to students. 

The existing number of women in the battalion is 23 and it is to be increased to 56. With the United Nations endorsing the policy that mandatorily requires the 15 percent women participations in the UN peacekeeping mission bodies; the NA is doing works to increase the participation of women in the peacekeeping missions. 

The NA has been given seven municipalities and one municipality covering an area of 96 kilometers to work.The total population of the area is around 87,400 the majority of population is Muslim. The battalion has deployed its human resources in six areas. 

The UN peacekeeping armies had first arrived here in 1978 when Lebanon filed a complaint with strong objection to the seizure of almost of its land in the southern territory by the Palestine Liberation Armies and Israel. With the intervention of the UN here, Israel moved back. 

Since the 1948 Arab- Israel war, a blue line wall was established along the Lebanon-Israel border and the claim of Lebanon is that its land was encroached with the marking of the line. The Hezbollah armies of Lebanon and the Army engaged in the trans-border war in 2000 and 2006 AD. 

 
• Nepal_Army
 
• Lebanon