137 Fijian soldiers serving in Lebanon under United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon had a special welcome ceremony for Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama who visited the peacekeepers in Lebanon yesterday.

The soldiers had also prepared a big banner with a congratulatory message for the Prime Minister.

Bainimarama visited the soldiers with Army Commander, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto and Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Satyendra Prasad.

These soldiers will be returning home on the 22nd of this month.

Bainimarama and Naupoto also met with the Lebanese Prime Minister, Saad Hariri.

Meanwhile Bainimarama also visited Cana Memorial in Lebanon to pay respect to 36 men who passed away on Fiji’s UNIFIL mission yesterday. 

In paying tribute to the men, the Prime Minister said that this was a high price to pay for our country. 

He said Fiji will always remember these brave men.

Bainimarama said their sacrifice inspires our men and women in uniform today and their sacrifice speaks of our rock solid commitment to UN efforts to support peace across conflict zones in the world. 

The Cana Memorial was constructed by the RFMF and stands as both a tribute and a symbol of Fiji’s long history of participation in UNIFIL.