THE UNITED NATIONS MEDAL (UNIFIL)

Obverse: The United Nations global projection emblem, above which are the letters "UN".

Reverse: Plain, with the legend "IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE".

Size: 35mm in diameter.

Ribbon: 35mm wide, the ribbon for this medal is light green with 9mm light blue edges. Inside these edges are 1mm white, red and white stripes. Ninety days of service in the Mission was necessary to qualify for award of the medal.

Suspension: The ribbon is threaded through a 12mm diameter ring, which passes through a loop fixed to the top of the piece. The ring will move forwards and backwards.

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, in South Lebanon, March 1978 to present. Despite being established as an interim force for a period of six months with a mandate of confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, the restoration of peace and security, and assisting in the establishment of the Lebanese government in the area, UNIFIL is still in existence in 1995. From its inception UNIFIL has been unable to fulfil its mandate due to a lack of co-operation and continued harassment from both the PLO and the Government of Israel, while taking casualties (170 fatalities as of June 1993). The maximum strength of UNIFIL is 7,000 personnel. New Zealand military observers have either been seconded from UNTSO, or served with UNIFIL while attached to a Royal Fijian Military Force Battalion.

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