AFM officer's 'positive experience' in Lebanon

An Armed Forces of Malta officer yesterday recounted his "positive and rewarding" experience during a two-month attachment with an Italian contingent in Lebanon, in preparation for his three-year placement representing Malta at the EU Military Staff.

Captain Neville Galea Roberts said the aims he and the AFM had set before leaving had been achieved.

This was the first time the AFM was involved in a UN-related mission.

The purpose of the attachment was for Captain Galea Roberts to gain operational experience in the field of Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) in preparation for his taking up of the Malta post on the EU Military Staff. He is now based in Brussels.

CIMIC is the branch within the military that has a lead responsibility for interactions with civil society and authorities at all levels during the conduct of military operations.

This branch works in support of the overall mission assigned to the military commander and has become a key and essential component in the planning and execution of peace support operations worldwide.

Captain Galea Roberts explained that during his attachment - between December 17 and February 13 - he was employed with the plans and projects section and was based both in the West Brigade Headquarters in Tibnin and at the Multinational Force Headquarters in Naqaura.

He was involved in the monitoring of work on a new Italian-funded hospital in Tibnin, in the south of Lebanon, and in the project management of a refurbishing project of the Yarun School.

He interacted with government and NGOs, keeping in mind the political and religious divide "because CIMIC has to work for all the population".

The range of activities that may be initiated through CIMIC are endless but the common purpose is to contribute to the creation of conditions that lead to a successful completion of a peace support operation.

AFM Commander Brigadier Carmel Vassallo said Captain Galea Roberts was chosen following a call for applications.

He thanked the Italian Military Mission for its continuous support to the AFM. To this, Giovanni Ormetti, the Head of the Italian Military Mission in Malta said the Italian military was proud to be contributing towards the evolution of the AFM, adding that the element of professionalism he has seen in Malta was remarkable.

Asked about the level of threat and possible danger in Lebanon, which just two years ago was hit by a war, Captain Galea Roberts said that, as a soldier, the level of threat is constant. However, in Lebanon the threat was minimal although things were "not always plain-sailing".