The first batch of 30 Qatari troops arrived in Lebanon yesterday as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission that will see some 203 Qatari armed forces personnel deployed in the country by the end of January.

It is the first time that Qatar's Armed Forces is taking part in a UN peacekeeping mission.

Chief of Staff Major General Hamad Bin Ali Al Attiyyah, who earlier saw the troops off at the Doha airport, said the mission comes in the framework of Qatar's commitment to the UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Qatar pledged support to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) last September and the country is the sole Arab country involved in the mission with a military contingent.

"Qatar is a member of the UN Security Council and is committed to maintain peace and provide all necessary support to Arab countries for the purpose," Al Attiyah told reporters at the airport.

He said the first batch of the Qatar Duty Force (QDF), who left yesterday on a private Qatar Airways flight, is tasked with completing the necessary logistic preparations before the arrival of the other military personnel by January 25.

Based in Bint Jbeil

"Armed Forces from different countries have arrived in South Lebanon and there has been some difficulties for Unifil in sheltering them," Al Attiyah said.

Colonel Lieutenant Nasser Bin Abdul Aziz Al Attiyyah, assistant commander of QDF, said the Qatari camp would be based in Bint Jbeil.

Staff Colonel Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi, commander of QDF, said that a UN delegation had earlier visited Qatar and briefed the group on the nature of their mission and safety regulations.

He could not provide a timeframe for the duration of the Qatari mission but said the minimum period required by the UN was six months. He added that the decision lies with Qatar in coordination with the UN.

Unifil has reached 11,000 troops and is stationed along Lebanon's southern border. It is supported by Lebanese troops, which are taking back control of the area from years of Hezbollah activity.

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