The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) have recently deployed, for the second time in its history, a Maltese officer on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This is the second deployment by the AFM of one of its officers to UNIFIL, after a similar one had taken place in 2007. Captain Joseph Spiteri was employed in UNIFIL’s Sector West Brigade Headquarters within the G9 (Civil Military Cooperation) Branch. His deployment was aimed at offering practical operational experience on Civil Military Cooperation in view of his future employment in this area on a European level. In fact, will be shortly taking up Malta’s post on the European Union Military Staff in Brussels, where he will be employed as a Staff Officer in the Crisis Management and Current Operations Branch, specifically in the area of Civil Military Cooperation.

Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMIC) is the military function through which a commander links to civilian agencies active in a theatre of operations. CIMIC is both a function and a capability. As a result, there are soldiers in most Western armies specifically trained and employed in CIMIC. At the same time, most soldiers on most operations conduct some CIMIC business in their day to day operations. CIMIC Operators do not have a monopoly on CIMIC activities. They are meant to provide commanders with expertise and advice on CIMIC matters.

The Maltese officer’s deployment was made possible through the close cooperation which exists between the Maltese military and Italy, in particular through the good offices of the Italian Military Mission (IMM) in Malta which, together with Headquarters AFM, played an essential role in the coordination of this deployment.

During his 10-week deployment in southern Lebanon, Captain Spiteri was mainly tasked with planning, implementing and monitoring a number of projects in a bid to improve UNIFIL’s effectiveness within its area of operations, increase the consent of the local population towards UNIFIL and at the same time improve the general humanitarian situation for the local populace in South Lebanon. Such projects included the reconstruction of important arterial roads, the installation of water purifying facilities, the refurbishment of schools and other public buildings such as hospitals and municipalities, the installation of electricity generators as well as projects concerning waste management. A total of 64 Civil Military Cooperation Projects are planned for Sector West Area of Operations for 2011 with a total budget of 3 million Euros.

Captain Spiteri, 34 from Ghasri, Gozo, was also employed in liaison activities aimed at keeping a constant line of communication with the local political, military and religious leaders. Given the current situation in South Lebanon and the political sensitivities of the region, such liaison activities, together with a constant show of presence by UNIFIL along the border between Lebanon and Israel, is considered an essential task for the fulfilment of UNIFIL’s mandate – that of restoring the Lebanese Government’s control over the South Lebanon region and the neutralisation of threats of rocket attacks on Israel. Captain Spiteri was highly praised by his superiors for his commitment and contribution towards the mission.

Photograph – Captain Joseph Spiteri in the field with Italian troops forming part of UNIFIL in Lebanon. Photo by UNIFIL/ ITY FORCES, Lebanon.

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