AUSCLUSEN - Australian Embassy

Australian Embassy

Lebanon

Embassy address: Embassy Complex, Serail Hill, Downtown Beirut, telephone: +961-1-960600, fax: +961-1-960601. Consular and Passport fax: +961-1-960602. Visa Section telephone: +961-1-960670, fax: +961-1-960671

Australia Funds Clearance of Cluster Munitions in southern Lebanon

Australia has provided an additional $500,000 to Mines Advisory Group (MAG) to fund ongoing cluster munitions clearance in southern Lebanon in 2011. This builds on an earlier grant of the same amount last year.

Australia’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Lex Bartlem, made the announcement on 30 March during a site visit to MAG’s Battle Area Clearance teams in Nabatieh, where he inspected their clearance work first-hand, and attended a briefing at the Regional Mine Action Center.

Mr Bartlem was received in Nabatieh by General Mohammad Fehmi, Director of the Lebanon Mine Action Center, and Mr Danny Kavanagh, MAG Country Programme Manager in Lebanon.

“We are proud of Australia’s continued support for MAG’s clearance activities in south Lebanon,” said Mr Bartlem.

“MAG’s outstanding work contributes immensely to the safety, recovery and welfare of communities affected by cluster munitions – including the three villages that will be able to reclaim their land for farming as a result of this project.”

Through Australia’s contribution, MAG has deployed three Battle Area Clearance teams to remove munitions from contaminated areas over a six month period. Cleared land will be returned to Lebanese communities, enabling the development of agriculture and infrastructure and boosting the economy. Currently, MAG employs more than 95% of its staff from affected communities, significantly supporting local economic recovery.

Australia is a longstanding supporter of mine action, having contributed more than $175 million over the past 12 years to assist affected countries and communities, including over $4 million for mine action projects in Lebanon since 2006. Australia is firmly committed to working towards a world free from landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war.