Welcome to...…the Multinational Force & Observers (MFO)

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Peace Treaty & Protocolmore

About Us

The MFO is an independent international organization, with peacekeeping responsibilities in the Sinai.

The origins of the MFO lie in Annex I to the 1979 Treaty of Peace between Egypt and Israel. In 1981, the Treaty Parties negotiated a Protocol that established the MFO and defined its mission.

The parties undertook to request the United Nations to provide a force and observers to supervise the implementation of the treaty. When it did not prove possible to obtain Security Council approval for the stationing of a UN peacekeeping force in the Sinai, the parties negotiated a Protocol in 1981 establishing the MFO “as an alternative” to the envisioned UN force.

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Our Mission

The mission of the MFO is to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and employ best efforts to prevent any violation of its terms.

Article II of Annex I to the Treaty of Peace establishes four security zones, three in the Sinai in Egypt and one in Israel along the international border. Limitations on military forces and equipment within each zone are stipulated in Annex I to the Treaty.

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Origins

The beginnings of the MFO stem from Annex I to the Treaty of Peace entitled “Protocol Concerning Israeli Withdrawal and Security Arrangements.

The area subject to Annex I is divided into four zones, Zones A, B, and C in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt and Zone D in Israel. Zones C and D are adjacent to the international border. This Annex also establishes the post-withdrawal levels of military personnel and equipment allowed in each Zone and, in Article VI, states that both Parties would request the United Nations to provide a force and observers to supervise the implementation of these provisions.

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MFO Troop Contributors…country by country

Contingents

Fourteen nations (Australia, Canada, Colombia, the Czech Republic, the Republic of the Fiji Islands, France, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uruguay) contribute personnel to make up the MFO's Force. It is the largest element of the MFO and is a joint organization with army, air and naval components. As of June 2014, the MFO's Force numbered 1673 personnel.

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Sandpaper magazine…

  • sandpaper_january_2014.pdf
  • sandpaper_june_2014.pdf
  • sandpaper_october_2013.pdf
  • sandpaper_february_2012.pdf
  • sandpaper_april_2012.pdf
  • sandpaper_august_2012.pdf
  • sandpaper_october_2012.pdf
  • sandpaper_december_2012.pdf

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