Deployment of the Franco-Italian headquarters in Lebanon
(B2) The non-permanent staff of the Franco-Italian Alpine Brigade (EMNPBAFI) is, for the first time, deployed in operation, in Lebanon. Composed of 70 soldiers, including a majority of Italians and about twenty French soldiers, this staff has been integrated into the Italian staff of the western sector of UNIFIL, the United Nations force in Lebanon, since October 14 last. For six months they will operate there under the command of Italian General Franco Federici, head of the Alpine Brigade “ Taurinense ". UNIFIL's western sector is made up of 3000 blue helmets from 13 countries.
A Franco-Italian project
The creation of this non-standing binational brigade command (Non Standing Bi-National Brigade Command - NSBNB-C) is based on a bilateral agreement between France and Italy signed in September 2013 which aims to strengthen cooperation between the two country (Read: A joint Franco-Italian mountain brigade for 2015). Two brigades have been designated on each side of the Alps: the 27th mountain infantry brigade (27e BIM) on the French side, and the " brigata alpina Taurinense », Italian side. This ad hoc command can be made available to a multinational operation of the UN, EU or NATO type.
(NGV)