Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) expressed her concern. However, the troops are "doing well". "The situation for our troops in UNIFIL is unchanged. Of course, we are looking at the Lebanese Republic with worried eyes," explained Tanner on Tuesday. A total of around 170 Austrian soldiers are currently deployed on the ground. "In a situation like this, it is important that our blue helmet soldiers remain in their bases," emphasized Tanner. In the event of an alarm, they would move into the designated shelters. The forces are prepared for this.

"In view of the recurring unrest in Lebanon, this is actually nothing new for our troops," the minister tried to put things into perspective. Should things become too dangerous on the ground, this would be the responsibility of UNIFIL and the United Nations.

Blue helmets injured in explosion
UNIFIL has been monitoring the border area between Israel and Lebanon since 1978. In August, three blue helmet soldiers were slightly injured in an explosion near their vehicle in southern Lebanon. The mission - one of the oldest active ones within the UN framework - comprises around 10,000 soldiers and 800 civilians. In view of the tense situation, some of these have already been sent to the safer north of the country, it was reported. Since the beginning of the mission, more than 300 peacekeepers have lost their lives.

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