MALAYSIA: UN Impressed with Malcon, Increases Scope of Peacekeeping Duties

The United Nations is very impressed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon's (Unifil) Malaysia (Malcon) East contingent and has increased the Malaysian peacekeeping unit's scope of duties, said Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) chief Gen Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin.

(Malcon East 6 women team members are all proud to be chosen for the peacekeeping duties in Lebanon.)

He said due to the high confidence the UN had in Malcon East (ME), the UN had increased Malcon East''s operational area from eight square kilometres previously to 14 square kilometres now.

This showed the ATM's capability to play a leading role in peacekeeping operations worldwide, he told reporters after the beret presentation ceremony for members of the Malcon East 6 (ME 6) contingent at Kem Batu 10 here today.

At the ceremony, the UN's blue berets for peacekeeping were presented to the contingent's 44 officers and 316 men, who will be leaving for Lebanon on Oct 21 to take over duties from the Malcon East 5 contingent, that is currently in the country and will be returning home after completing its tour of duty.

Ten officers and men fronm the Royal Brunei Armed Forces will also be joining Malcon East 6 in the mission.

ME which is based in Kaoukaba, Lebanon complements a Spanish contingent in peacekeeping duties in southern Lebanon.