Navy wants defence attaché in Lebanon

Navy personnel of the warship Ali Haider, deployed in Beirut, Lebanon, want a 'Navy attaché' at the Bangladesh embassy there to enable greater activities in the Gulf states—especially in Lebanon and Syria. Two warships are berthed in southern Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). During a presentation to a Bangladesh parliamentary delegation on defence yesterday, officers of Ali Haider demanded the posting of a Navy attache in the Bangladesh mission in Beirut as soon as possible. Maj. Gen. Subid Ali Bhuiyan (retired), chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on defence, led the delegation. Other members of the delgation were Muhammad Faruk Khan, Dr Dipu Moni, Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury, Md Mahbubur Rahman and Hosenara Ara Begum.
Maniruzzaman, executive officer of the warship, said Lebanon was making progress under peaceful conditions, and planning to rebuild its naval force and boost its economy by exploring oil and gas lying in the country’s maritime territory.  
"They need warships, corvettes and patrol boats for their naval force. The Bangladesh Navy can help them by selling warships and boats as we have two dockyard factories where warships, patrol boats, tug boats and other vessels are built. We can also provide training to their naval force," he added.
"When they start gas and oil exploration, they will need maritime security. The Bangladesh Navy can provide that to the friendly country, as their armed forces and even their government have recognised the work done by the force," he said. The naval officer also said the Bangladesh Navy could provide various forms of support to Syria once peace was restored in the war-torn country.
He also said military personnel from 40 countries including UK, France, Ireland, Germany, Turkey, and Brazil were stationed there. "A naval attaché in Lebanon will be able to liaison with these military forces, helping to create new opportunities for the Bangladesh Navy and other defence organisations," he added.
The naval officer said that the Bangladesh Navy could train Lebanese navy personnel by sending naval ships if the authorities concerned in the two countries could sign an agreement. He informed the delegation that a total of 270 navy personnel were working in two warships—Ali Haider and Nirmul—deployed on the Mediterranean Sea to secure Lebanon’s maritime boundary under the supervision of the United Nations (UN).
Delegation member Muhammad Faruk Kahn, who is also a member of the parliamentary standing committee on defence, told this correspondent they would discuss the issue with those concerned after returning to Dhaka.
During a meeting with Lebanon’s members of the parliamentary standing committee on defence, the Bangladesh delegation proposed bilateral discussion for military cooperation.The meeting was held in the Lebanese parliament building in Beirut. Lebanese lawmakers gave assurance of holding a meeting with the Bangladesh authorities soon. They also praised the Bangladesh naval personnel attached to the two warships stationed in Lebanon.
About the personnel of the Bangladesh Navy working as peacekeepers in Beirut, the armed forces chief of Lebanon, Gen. Jean Kahwaji, said: "We want Bangladesh to continue the maritime interdiction operation. They ensure that no ship carrying weapons enters Lebanon. This has played a big role in maintaining peace."
 Former Multinational Maritime Taskforce (MTF) commander Rear Admiral Walter Eduardo Bombarda also praised the Bangladesh navy personnel. "The crew members of both the ships have maintained a very high standard of discipline and code of conduct throughout their tour of duty. There was not a single incident of breach of the UN standard conduct by any of the crew members at any time. I am truly amazed to see the remarkable standard of upkeep and maintenance of the ships," he said.

 

Navy wants defence attaché in Lebanon

Navy personnel of the warship Ali Haider, deployed in Beirut, Lebanon, want a Navy attach at the Bangladesh embassy there to enable greater activities in the Gulf statesespecially in Lebanon and Syria. Two warships are berthed in southern Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). During a presentation to a Bangladesh parliamentary delegation on defence yesterday, officers of Ali Haider demanded the posting of a Navy attache in the Bangladesh mission in Beirut as soon as possible. Maj. Gen. Subid Ali Bhuiyan (retired), chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on defence, led the delegation. Other members of the delgation were Muhammad Faruk Khan, Dr Dipu Moni, Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury, Md Mahbubur Rahman and Hosenara Ara Begum. Maniruzzaman, executive officer of the warship, said Lebanon was making progress under peaceful conditions, and planning to rebuild its naval force and boost its economy by exploring oil and gas lying in the countrys maritime territory. They need warships, corvettes and patrol boats for their naval force. The Bangladesh Navy can help them by selling warships and boats as we have two dockyard factories where warships, patrol boats, tug boats and other vessels are built. We can also provide training to their naval force, he added. When they start gas and oil exploration, they will need maritime security. The Bangladesh Navy can provide that to the friendly country, as their armed forces and even their government have recognised the work done by the force, he said. The naval officer also said the Bangladesh Navy could provide various forms of support to Syria once peace was restored in the war-torn country. He also said military personnel from 40 countries including UK, France, Ireland, Germany, Turkey, and Brazil were stationed there. A naval attach in Lebanon will be able to liaison with these military forces, helping to create new opportunities for the Bangladesh Navy and other defence organisations, he added. The naval officer said that the Bangladesh Navy could train Lebanese navy personnel by sending naval ships if the authorities concerned in the two countries could sign an agreement. He informed the delegation that a total of 270 navy personnel were working in two warshipsAli Haider and Nirmuldeployed on the Mediterranean Sea to secure Lebanons maritime boundary under the supervision of the United Nations (UN). Delegation member Muhammad Faruk Kahn, who is also a member of the parliamentary standing committee on defence, told this correspondent they would discuss the issue with those concerned after returning to Dhaka. During a meeting with Lebanons members of the parliamentary standing committee on defence, the Bangladesh delegation proposed bilateral discussion for military cooperation.The meeting was held in the Lebanese parliament building in Beirut. Lebanese lawmakers gave assurance of holding a meeting with the Bangladesh authorities soon. They also praised the Bangladesh naval personnel attached to the two warships stationed in Lebanon. About the personnel of the Bangladesh Navy working as peacekeepers in Beirut, the armed forces chief of Lebanon, Gen. Jean Kahwaji, said: We want Bangladesh to continue the maritime interdiction operation. They ensure that no ship carrying weapons enters Lebanon. This has played a big role in maintaining peace. Former Multinational Maritime Taskforce (MTF) commander Rear Admiral Walter Eduardo Bombarda also praised the Bangladesh navy personnel. The crew members of both the ships have maintained a very high standard of discipline and code of conduct throughout their tour of duty. There was not a single incident of breach of the UN standard conduct by any of the crew members at any time. I am truly amazed to see the remarkable standard of upkeep and maintenance of the ships, he said.