Increased security for Turkish UNIFIL unit

Turkish military sources have told Arabstoday that the unit working with the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) in Lebanon has intensified its security measures to avoid the angry reaction of the families of Lebanese people kidnapped in Syria. The moves comes after recent threats against Turkish interests in Lebanon. The unit’s leadership has fitted surveillance cameras around the battalion headquarters, along with new steel barriers and barbed wire. The soldiers have also been ordered not to leave their military base in the case of a potential emergency. A number of local residents refused to be intimidated by the threats against the military unit, adding that they have cordial relations with the Turkish military. They stressed that the Turkish soldiers offer assistance to the residents and demanded that the Turkish government ensures the release of the kidnapped Lebanese people.