Path cleared for de-mining programme

08 March 2002

Ten international companies attended a pre-bid meeting in Abu Dhabi on 4 March for the second phase of the $50 million Operation Emirates Solidarity. The aim of the project is to clear mines and unexploded ordnance from the former Israeli-occupied area of southern Lebanon. Bids for the two-year scheme, which is funded by the UAE, are due on 28 March.

Prospective bidders at the meeting included Russia's Emercom De-mining, European Landmine Solutions of the UK, Mechem Consultants of South Africa, UK-based MineTech International, the US' Ronco, Sogelma of Italy, Ukroboronservice of the Ukraine, Amman-based National De-mining Companyand Frontier Works Organisation of Pakistan, which was responsible for mine clearance operations in Kuwait following the Gulf War. Bactec International of the UK, which was awarded the first preparatory phase of the project in December, is also understood to be planning to bid for the mine clearance contract. Three disposal teams from Bactec have set up a rapid response unit in southern Lebanon to deal with requests for help from the local population. The unit has also mapped out details of minefields in the region.

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