19th Libre Hidalgo

Marjayoun,  23.05.2013

Commander: Brigadier Fernando López del Pozo.

The “Líbano XIX” Brigade (known as BRILIB XIX) has finished its deployment in the area of operations. The 12th Mechanised Infantry Brigade “Guadarrama” (BRIAC XII) leads the Spanish operation in Lebanon, “Libre Hidalgo”, for the third time. It is supported by personnel from the 11th Logistic Support Group (AALOG 11) and by different units from the Army and the Civil Guard, as well as by members of the Salvadorian and Serbian armies - around fifty soldiers from each. BRILIB XIX is made up of around 560 troops who for the next six months will be integrated into the Multinational Brigade Sector East (MNB SECEAST) of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

On 22 May 2013 BRILIB XIX began its mission in Lebanon to ensure compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Its roughly 560 troops relieved the units and soldiers of BRILIB XVIII at the base “Miguel de Cervantes” in the Marjayoun District, nearly 4,000 km away from Spain. In the Transfer of Authority ceremony General Fernando López del Pozo, commander of BRIAC XII “Guadarrama”, took over from General Teodoro Baños Alonso, commander of BRIMZ X “Guzmán el Bueno”, and assumed command of MNB SECEAST.

The whole UN operation in the eastern sector of the southern strip of Lebanon, from the Litani River to the Blue Line which separates the country from Israel, is controlled from MNB SECEAST HQ. As well as the Spanish troops, the Brigade is composed of units from Indonesia, Nepal, India, Malaysia, El Salvador, Brunei and Serbia. In all, around 4,000 soldiers make up a truly multinational Brigade under UN command and led by Spain since 2006.

UNIFIL MNB SECEAST battalions perform key operational tasks under the command of the United Nations. Deployed in different positions within the Area of Responsibility of the Brigade, they carry out patrols and man permanent outposts to guarantee the observance of the cessation of hostilities and support and assist the Lebanese Armed Forces to control the area from the Litani River to the Blue Line, negotiated with Israel as the line of separation between the two countries but which does not still constitute an international border.

The Light Protected Tactical Battalion which constitutes the Spanish Battalion (SPANBATT) within the Multinational Brigade is composed of personnel from the 31st Mechanised Infantry Regiment “Asturias”. It also includes sections from the Salvadorian and Serbian armies. The Light Armoured Section is made up of members from the 12th Light Armoured Cavalry Regiment “Farnesio”.

SPANBATT is deployed at sensitive points very close to the Blue Line and its task is crucial: On the security and stability of that area depends to a great extent the success of the mission and the pacification of this region of the Middle East.