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The Lebanese Government on Friday honoured 10 Ghanaian service commanders for their contributions and sacrifices for peace in the Middle East. They were, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Erskine, Force Commander who led the troop from 1978 to 1981, Lt. Gen. Seth Kofi Obeng 1999-2001, Brigadier Joseph Odei 1989-1990, Brig. Gen. Kattah 2003-2005, Brig. Gen. Thomas Ngua and Brig. Gen. Robert Winful 2005-2006. The rest were Warrant Officer Bawa Benzua, Forces Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer Edu Yaw, Senior Warrant Officer Emmanuel Dei Gbertey and Master Warrant Officer Moses Kofi Frempah. Mr. Ahmed Soneidan, Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana said Lebanese were grateful for the sacrifices of the Ghanaian soldiers. "The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has to work hard to supply basic needs to women, children and the nation not to lose hope in the heat of the Israeli raid," he said. "The contributions of these brave Ghanaian soldiers in Lebanon, was felt at many levels, the humanitarian, civil and peacekeeping. We pray for the souls of the Ghanaian martyrs whose sacrifices assisted Lebanon during difficult periods," he said. Lt. Gen. Henry Joseph Smith, Minister of Defence said Ghana's participation in UNIFIL operations was undertaken at great cost and since its inception about 30 years ago, 30 peacekeepers had lost their lives while more than 300 received injuries. He said the troops had to endure extreme difficulties to maintain the peace and Ghana had to pre-finance the payment of allowances and maintenance grants to the troops before reimbursement by the UN. This situation, he noted led to some African countries withdrawing their troops early in the mission. He said the troop had to adapt to different cultures of the Lebanese people and other peacekeepers. The long stay of the officers and men in Lebanon from their families, he said created broken homes in some cases but noted "I feel gratified that these sacrifices made. were not in vain." "Our troops for the first time were exposed to the international environment and can confidently operate anywhere in the world," he said. "I am delighted that the troops were enlightened to the effect of conflict management and their continued participation ensured that Ghana maintained a high standard of training at all times," he said. Lt Gen. Smith said "our foreign policy commitment to the realisation of noble goals of the UN made Ghana to continue to fulfil its obligations towards international peace and security at all times". He expressed appreciation to the Lebanese Government for its support and called for their limitless assistance until peace was totally realised in Lebanon. Lt. Gen. Erskine on behalf of the recipients thanked the Lebanese Government for remembering the soldiers, adding "we were only representatives of the thousands of officers and men privileged in serving the course of peace in Lebanon". A citation presented lauded the soldiers for their outstanding contributions, untiring dedication and unyielding commitment to maintaining peace and stability in South Lebanon during their service with UNIFIL. In March 1978 Israel invaded Lebanon with severe destruction of cities and villages and high civilian casualties. This led to a resolution by the UN for the deployment of peacekeeping forces to help Lebanon restore peace and to persuade Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territories. These forces were formed and deployed under the command of Lt. Gen. Esrkine in 1978. This is the first time the Lebanese Government had honoured Ghanaian troops.