The United Nations shuffled the commands of its peace-keeping and truce supervisory forces in the Middle East at ceremonies at the Ras el Nakura crossing point on the Israel-Lebanese border last weekend.
Gen. William Callaghan, 60, of Ireland, took over command of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) from Gen. Emmanuel Erskine of Ghana who had headed it since its formation three years ago. Erskine has been named commander of the UN Truce Supervisory Organization (UNTSO), which is headquartered in Jerusalem. He will also serve as the personal representative of UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim.
Erskine replaced Gen. Erkki Kaira of Finland who now takes command of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) which was established in 1973 to implement the disengagement agreements entered into by Israel with Egypt and Syria in Sinai and on the Golan Heights, respectively.
Even as the change-over ceremonies were under-way, Dutch UNIFIL troops intercepted and disarmed a group of eight Palestinian terrorists apparently making their way toward the Israeli border. They were sent back to their base at Sidon. If UNIFIL practice continues as in the past, their arms will be returned.
Meanwhile, Maj. Saad Haddad, commander of Christian forces in south Lebanon, said he would wait and see how effective the new commander is in preventing the infiltration of Palestinians.
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