Abstract
Abstract Brazil’s involvement in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) since 2011 has allowed for a direct participation as part of international peace and security efforts in the Middle East, strengthening the country’s credentials as it presents itself as a ‘peace provider’. Informed by academic contributions on issues of responsibility and recognition, the article discusses Brazil’s engagement with particular reference to UNIFIL’s Maritime Task Force, and the implications of such participation for its broader foreign and defence policy agenda.Keywords: Brazil, UNIFIL, Middle East. Received: May 30, 2017Accepted: August 11, 2017 Introduction I n November 2011, Lebanese President Michel Sleiman visited the Brazilian frigate ‘Uniao’ stationed in the port of Beirut. The visit had a specific symbolic dimension; it was the first time that a Lebanese President was visiting a ship participating in the Maritime Task Force (MTF) of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). President Sleiman did not only visit the ship, but also spoke with the Brazilian officers of Lebanese descent that were part of the ship’s crew
Highlights
In November 2011, Lebanese President Michel Sleiman visited the Brazilian frigate ‘União’ stationed in the port of Beirut
If the specific circumstances associated with United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are taken into consideration, the possibility of recognition deriving from participating in the missions is maximized for two reasons: (1) UNIFIL was historically perceived as a mission under the ‘responsibility’ of Western European North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-member states; and (2) the mission takes place in a highly volatile region with high international visibility
Brazil’s direct involvement in UNIFIL began on the 15th of February 2011, when Brazilian Admiral Luiz Henrique Caroli took over as the command of UNIFIL’s Maritime Task Force (MTF). This was the first time that a non-NATO member state was taking over command of the MTF, which was signalled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an indication of the recognition granted to Brazil as a ‘peace provider’34
Summary
In November 2011, Lebanese President Michel Sleiman visited the Brazilian frigate ‘União’ stationed in the port of Beirut. This interest is illustrated by a series of contemporary initiatives in which Brazil made attempts to play a more direct role in influencing dynamics within the region. Brazil implemented a specific view of how it could contribute to peace in the Middle East, based on its domestic credentials as well as a perception that the efforts under the leadership of the great powers had not achieved the expected results (peace) In his 2006 speech to the United Nations General Assembly, President Lula mentioned: In Brazil, millions of Arabs and Jews (israelitas) live in a harmonious and integrated way. After the 2006 war, Brazil attended the International Conference on Lebanon held in Stockholm in late August 2006 and sent a multidisciplinary mission to Lebanon in October 2006 to verify opportunities for both technical cooperation and commercial promotion possibilities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
