Trackback URL
Download PDF Bangladesh is willing to contribute up to 2,000 troops to the United Nations (UN).peacekeeping force in Lebanon.
The offer was made at a meeting of nearly 50 troops contributing countries at the UN headquarters in New York on Thursday.
Quoting UN diplomats, AP said Bangladesh pledged two mechanised infantry battalions, Indonesia one mechanised battalion and an engineering company, Malaysia one mechanised battalion and Nepal pledged one mechanised battalion.
Yahya Mahmassani, the Arab League’s envoy to the United Nations, said he has been officially informed that Bangladesh will contribute two battalions, totalling between 1,600 and 2,000 troops.
When contacted Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin told the news agency yesterday that Dhaka is willing to participate in the peacekeeping in Lebanon, but the size of contingent will be determined after receiving the details of the terms of reference for deployment of troops.
“We’re prepared to participate in the peacekeeping, but the size of our contingent will be determined after receiving the details of the UN terms of reference for fresh deployment of troops,” he said.
Bangladesh is now the largest troops contributing country in UN peacekeeping missions with approximately 11,000 soldiers operating as Blue Helmet peacekeepers in 11 countries around the world.
AP said UN Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown told the meeting of troops contributing countries that at least 3,500 new troops are needed in south Lebanon within 10 days to expand the 2,000-strong UN force trying to help maintain an uneasy truce between Israel and Hezbollah militants.
Comments are not moderated and only expresses personal views of visitors. BangladeshNews.com.bd is not responsible for commets posted by visitors.
Leave a Reply