On May 21, UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon)peacekeepers and LAF (Lebanese Armed Forces) soldiers came together at the awe-inspiring ancient hippodrome in Tyre (Sour).

The purpose of this military olympiad is to of course strengthen bonds and camaraderie between the LAF and UNIFIL, but also to support the families of LAF martyrs and wounded soldiers.

Two organizations that support army wounded and martyr families were given 23,000 USD each. The first one is a French NGO: ‘Terre Fraternité’ and the second association ‘Association of the Martyr Lt Col Sobhi Al Akoury’. This NGO is named after the first LAF martyr in the Nahr El Bared battles against Fath El Islam, and is tasked with protecting and supporting the families and children of Lebanese Army martyrs.

Here’s a video highlighting some of the activities in the military olympiad.

I will be doing more in-depth stories about UNIFIL peacekeepers in South Lebanon. In my visits to the areas, I always notice the impact and remarkable relationship local Lebanese communities have with the foreign peacekeepers, like opening restaurants with the traditional cuisines of the nearest country’s base. I’ll also be doing a lot more stories about South Lebanon in time for summer!