Brazilian corvette BNS Barroso sailed into Limassol, Cyprus with Rear Admiral Flavio Macedo Brasil, the Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), on board.
The Rear Admiral stopped in the Cypriot port to visit German soldiers deployed to UNIFIL.
Commanded by the 53-year-old Rear Admiral, who has been leading the UNIFIL maritime force for almost a year, approximately 850 soldiers aboard seven ships from six nations patrol the seas off the Lebanon coast.
Currently representing Germany is the fast patrol boat S80 Hyena with an embarked helicopter and the crew from S73 Hermelin.
The Brazilian Rear Admiral used the visit to pick up info about the situation on the ground and take a tour of the Camp Castle in the Port of Limassol. German Navy is using the Camp Castle as a small base for the logistical supply of soldiers and ships deployed to UNIFIL.
Rear Admiral Brasil will hand over the command over the task force to another Brazilian, Rear Admiral Alte Mello. The UNIFIL flagship, BNS Barroso will thereafter leave the region and start the long journey home.
The Maritime Task Force of UNIFIL was and is the only naval force led by the United Nations. Since 2006, marines have been helping the Lebanon government secure its sea border and prevent weapon smuggling from the sea. Since the beginning of the operation more than 68000 ships were checked and around 7200 vehicles led to the ports of Beirut, Sidon and Tripoli for further checks.
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Naval Today Staff