Belarus sends peacekeepers to Lebanon
Political commentators reckon the participation in peacekeeping missions boost the international image of the country and gives an opportunity to "enter new regions". After Lebanon, Belarus might send Belarus soldiers to other countries.
9 Belarus officers are to be dispatched as UN peacekeepers to Lebanon, under the decree of Alexander Lukashenka. The Belarusians will focus on information support, medical assistance to peacekeepers, relations with civilians and NGOs, reports BELTA.
In the view of Russian commentator Andrei Suzdaltsev, this step of the official Minsk raises the authority of our country.
Andrei Suzdaltsev: "Belarus is not a subject of global politics. This is a small country which has limited international possibilities. A small group of peacekeeprs does boost the international authority and raises the status. Especially, when we are talking about such a complex hot spot like Lebanon. Small countries in Europe traditionally send officers to peacekeeping contingents to earn somewhat PR bonuses".
In the view of Suzdaltsev, by sending peacekeepers, Belarus demonstrates its diverse foregn policy, and this is positive for the country's image, but is not very significant politically.
Political commentator Yury Shevtsov agrees that it is very prestigious when troops take part in peacekeeping missions. Besides, it also helps enter a certain difficult region.
Yury Shevtsov: "If we enter the southern Lebanon now, it means we will know better the local peculiarities. It means diplomacy".
He reckons Belarus might send more peacekeepers, because the necessary legal framework was developed in Belarus in the recent years.
Yury Shevtsov: "Moreover, apart from dispatching peacekeepers to Lebanon, Belarus might also send troops to Syria. We have a legal framework that allows to send more troops. We even have a peacekeeping company which is trained to conduct peacekeeping missions".
The expert does not rule out that Belarus will send troops to other hot spots.
