Gaining local legitimacy in stabilisation operations: the Spanish peacekeepers case in Lebanon-UNIFIL II

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article analyses the role of peacekeeping in enhancing a host nation's local legitimacy within its population, focusing on the mission actions from a bottom-up perspective. This research, which used a micro-approach with the Spanish contingent case study in UNIFIL II, involved two field studies carried out between 2010 and 2016 in Lebanon with interviews and focus groups with Spanish military personnel of this UN mission and local Lebanese actors. The results show how the implementation of both material actions – the provision of public goods and security – and non-material actions – respect and an in-depth knowledge about the local context –, performed by Spanish peacekeepers towards local actors, helped to improve the local legitimacy and reconciled the goals of the mission with the interests of Lebanese society and state.