Belgium to take command of UN maritime forces in Lebanon

Belgium will take command of the naval maritime forces, a part of UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), after France's command expires at the end of February, local Naharnet website reported Thursday.

UNIFIL spokeswoman Yasmina Bouziane said that the French 6-month command ends on Feb. 28, and will be turned over to Belgium.

"As a result of the leadership transfer, several changes will be made to the contribution of different countries to UNIFIL naval forces," Bouziane was quoted as saying.

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said Wednesday that France will pull out two warships from UN forces off south Lebanon coast "because the security risks are no longer as intense."

UNIFIL naval forces patrol Lebanese territorial water in accordance to UN resolution 1701 which ended the Hezbollah-Israeli war in 2006, and are in charge of preventing any arms smuggling into Lebanon.

The Germans were the first to command the maritime forces, followed by the Italians and then the French.