28.11.2015.

Seventh rotation of peacekeepers seen off to Lebanon

In Nis barracks "Knjaz Mihailo" today, a ceremony was held on the occasion of seeing off a contingent of the Serbian Armed Forces in the UN mission UNIFIL in Lebanon. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Defence of the Republic of Serbia Bratislav Gasic, Chief of General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic, Army Commander Lieutenant General Milosav Simovic, Chief of Nisava Administrative District Aleksandar Cvetkovic, Head of Toplica Administrative District Nebojsa Vukadinovic, Mayor of Nis Zoran Perisic, presidents of Nis City Municipalities, representatives of religious communities, as well as family members and friends of future peacekeepers.

Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic presented to infantry company commander Captain Bosko Vasiljevic and platoon commander for force protection Lt. Djordje Okolic the state flags of the Republic of Serbia, and they have promised that they will honourably and responsibly perform all assigned tasks in accordance with the mandate of the mission and will represent with dignity the Serbian Armed Forces and the Republic of Serbia.

The Defence Minister wished future peacekeepers safe travel, military happiness and successful implementation of tasks in the multinational operation in Lebanon reminding them that joint work in multinational operations is to be an equal partner in contributing to the respect of the international law.

- With the deployment in the missions we present our military and homeland and strengthen the international position of the Republic of Serbia. Get to know and respect the culture and customs of others, and show with your actions what kind of people live in Serbia and why the Serbian soldier is respected everywhere in the world. Transmit the message of peace and friendship in all situations and to all the people with whom you come in contact. Your task will not be easy, because working in an international environment, far from your families, means a lot of sacrifice and dedication. I ask you to perform your duties honestly, fairly and responsibly, with maximum effort. You need to represent the Serbian Armed Forces in a manner that befits it - Minister Gasic said, noting that our soldiers in peacekeeping missions have so far been evaluated with highest marks, which is best evidenced by acknowledgements from highest representatives of the UN and partner countries with whom they directly performed tasks.

Minister said that this rotation of peacekeepers is expected to continue the same path and to return with even better results, richer by numerous experiences, which, like their predecessors, upon returning to their units, they will share with their colleagues.

- The Serbian soldier is honourable, well-trained and can respond to the most complex tasks. The Republic of Serbia will once again confirm that it is committed to the ideas and goals of the UN, honourably and fairly fulfilling the tasks that we are assigned in order to preserve peace in the world, - Minister of Defence said, telling the parents, spouses and relatives of the peacekeepers to be proud of our peacekeepers.

Company commander Captain Bosko Vasiljevic pointed out that the members of the company are ready to carry out all the tasks in the seventh rotation of the Serbian Armed Forces in the UN peacekeeping operation in Lebanon, UNIFIL, noting that past experience was integrated into the training system, so that the company is fully trained and motivated to carry out tasks.

Platoon commander Lieutenant Bojan Maksimovic is extremely satisfied with the state of training and selected staff and assures that his unit will conduct all the tasks in the mission flawlessly.

Tomorrow, 175 members of infantry company and force protection platoon of the Third Brigade of the Army, staff officers and members of the national support element for the responsible duties in the sector "East" will set off to the Republic of Lebanon, and among them are nine women, one of whom is on the officer's duty.

The infantry company, commanded by Captain Bosko Vasiljevic, will carry out tasks as an independent unit within the Spanish contingent, while the force protection platoon, headed by Lieutenant Djordje Okolic, will act within the Italian contingent.