November 15, 2026
In a step that reflects the continued joint cooperation between the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the local authorities in the south of the country, the Spanish battalion officially handed over a sports field to the municipality of Burj al-Muluk, after completing its preparation and rehabilitation work to provide a safe space for the people of the region to practice their sports activities.
A celebration was held on the occasion in the “Al-Shuala Club” building, attended by the Commander of the Eastern Sector of UNIFIL, Brigadier General Antonio Ortiz Martinez, and the Mayor of Burj Al-Muluk, Elias Suleiman, along with officers and members of the Civil Military Cooperation Unit (GIMEC), members of the municipal council, and a crowd of residents.
The ceremony witnessed the unveiling of the project’s commemorative plaque and the signing of the handover document between the two sides, a step that falls within a series of development initiatives implemented by international forces to support local communities in southern Lebanon.
Mayor Elias Suleiman expressed his deep appreciation for this support, noting that the rehabilitation of the stadium is of particular importance in light of the difficult circumstances imposed by the war on the region. He said: “Despite the difficult circumstances that our region has gone through as a result of the war, we still adhere to a positive outlook on the future, and we highly appreciate the friendly countries’ standing by our side, most notably Spain, which did not abandon us in the darkest circumstances. We extend all thanks and appreciation to it.”
The celebration concluded with the mayor presenting a shield honoring the Commander of the Eastern Sector, which was sold at a cocktail party for the participants.
This initiative comes within the framework of UNIFIL’s civil and military cooperation activities, which aim to implement development and social projects that enhance the resilience of local communities, in addition to the basic tasks of international forces in maintaining stability along the Blue Line.
