Turkish Armed Forces Construction Squadron leaves for Lebanon

Turkish Armed Forces Construction Squadron, which will be a part of the UNIFIL, has left for Lebanon on Thursday with a ceremony at the Mediterranean Mersin seaport, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

A group of 95 military personnel as well as vehicles and equipment are being taken to Lebanon with "TCG SERDAR" and "TCG ISKENDERUN" military ships, the report said.

The ships will be escorted by two corvettes, namely "TCG BAFRA (F-505)" and "TCG BEYKOZ", until they reach the Beirut seaport, said the report, adding that Turkish ships are expected to arrive in Beirut on Friday.

Meanwhile, a 7-member mine detection team of the Turkish Armed Forces, along with a special jeep and a motor vehicle, arrived in Lebanon on Tuesday, said Anatolia.

It said the team will conduct searches for landmines in the Lebanese area where Turkish military units will serve.

On Oct. 12, a Turkish military engineering company comprising 237 soldiers, 24 civilians and other military personnel, was sent to Lebanon.

In addition, Turkey also sent a frigate with some 220 personnel aboard to join the UN international naval force monitoring the coast of Lebanon earlier this month.

Turkish parliament agreed to contribute to the UNIFIL to shore up an expanded UN peacekeeping forces as set out in the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to end the 34-day Israel- Hezbollah conflict in July-August.

Source: Xinhua