Finland prepares to continue in the UNIFIL operation

By providing about 200 peacekeepers for the French force in the operation's Force Commander Reserve (FCR), Finland will continue in the UN UNIFIL operation until the end of 2020. The decision on participation is made in accordance with the Act on Military Crisis Management and the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament has received an account of the matter.

Finland has participated in the UNIFIL operation in Lebanon since spring 2012. In terms of personnel, this is currently the main single crisis management operation for Finland to participate. Finland's contribution to the Irish-Finnish Battalion is about 170 personnel and to the Force Commander Reserve about 160 personnel.

The plan is to increase the strength of the Finnish contingent in the FCR to about 200 personnel, starting on 1 September 2018 and lasting until 31 December 2020. The contingent will include a jaeger company, HQ elements, and support and logistics elements.

As the focus of Finland's participation will be on the French force in the FCR, the cooperation with the Irish battalion will end on 31 December 2018, as stated in the decision on participating in the operation.

Inquiries: Director of Unit Otto Saxén, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 295 140 314, and Senior Staff Officer Matti Kemppilä, tel. +358 295 140 317.