Defence Senior Advisor Visits Lebanon, Raises UK Flag at UNIFIL
Air Marshal Sampson took part in raising the UK flag as one of UNIFIL鈥檚 Troop Contributing Countries.
Air Marshal Martin Sampson at UNIFIL photo credit: Haidar Fahs
The British Embassy in Lebanon welcomed the UK Defence Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME) Air Marshal Martin Sampson to Lebanon from 5 to 6 July.
DSAME met General Joseph Aoun, Chief of Defence for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdallah Bou Habib. He was accompanied during his visits by Charge D鈥橝ffaires Camilla Nickless, and the Defence Attach茅 Lt. Colonel Lee Saunders.
During a special ceremony held at UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura, DSAME attended the raising of the United Kingdom鈥檚 flag at UNIFIL as a Troop Contributing Country. The UK is represented by a female officer as the Integrated Outreach Operations Officer, and is the 49th troop contributor to the Mission鈥檚 now 10,101 peacekeepers.
The Charge D鈥橝ffaires Camilla Nickless, said:
An important milestone in the UK鈥檚 contribution to Lebanon鈥檚 stability and security during the raising of the United Kingdom鈥檚 flag at UNIFIL. We fully support UNIFIL鈥檚 work in south Lebanon, as mandated in UN Resolution 1701.
The visit of Air Marshal Martin Sampson to Lebanon and his continued close engagement with the LAF Commander is a symbol of our enduring support to the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Air Marshal Martin Sampson said:
I was proud to take part in the United Kingdom鈥檚 flag raising ceremony at UNIFIL as a troop contributing country. Yesterday鈥檚 incident underscored UNIFIL鈥檚 critical role in support of stability and security in Lebanon. We urge everyone to exercise restraint and avoid any further escalation.
During my meetings I reiterated my support to the Lebanese people and that of the LAF given the current challenging context. We remain a close friend and strong ally of the Lebanese people and the Lebanese Armed Forces.