Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP) confirmed that Finland is ready to repatriate its peacekeepers from Lebanon, if the situation so requires.
This would be a major evacuation, as some 200 Finnish peacekeepers are serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) mission in southern Lebanon.
Unifil's mission has been operating since 1978 working to de-escalate conflicts between the various parties in the region, such as Israel, Lebanon and militant groups present in southern Lebanon.
Finland began sending peacekeepers to the mission in 1982.
Volatile situation
An attack on civilians in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights territory which killed 12 children and young people has led to fears of escalation on both sides of the border. Israel blames Hezbollah for the attack, which the Iran-backed militant group and political organisation denies.
"The situation is being closely monitored and if the conditions deteriorate so that the Finnish peacekeepers cannot perform their mission, we will bring them home," Valtonen said on the Yle TV1 talk show programme A-studio on Monday evening.
The foreign minister declined to speculate on what kind of situation could lead to the peacekeepers being evacuated. She admitted that she has feared an escalation in the region for months.
"The situation is quite volatile. If the civilian population is attacked, even by an unintentional attack, and it leads to a worse escalation spiral, then anything is possible. Now let's hope that this doesn't happen," Valtonen said.
She stressed that the government aims to ensure the safety of Finnish soldiers in various peacekeeping missions around the world.
"We are well prepared for these situations and have strong plans in place for this. Nonetheless, in a conflict zone it is impossible for everything to go 100 percent according to plan," Valtonen stated.
Valtonen also said on the programme that she would prefer Finland not to have to implement its evacuation plans.
"Let's hope that the peacekeepers can continue their work, because the work they do in that region is very important," Valtonen said.
