Cambodia is set to dispatch troops to join a United Nations peacekeepingforce in Mali on February 9, senior officials said on February 6.
Prak Sokhonn, Chairman of the National Coordination Committeeof UN Peacekeeping Operation, said during a meeting with Cambodianpeacekeepers that it is the first time that the country will sendmilitary personnel to Mali under the UN umbrella.
He said some 30 team leaders will leave for Mali on February 9 in order to manage tasks in advance.
According to Lt. Gen. Sem Sovanny, General Director of the NationalCentre for the Peacekeeping Force, a total of 298 troops will be sent toMali later this month.
He added that they aredivided into two groups. One will be responsible for airport repairs andmaintenance and the other will be in charge of unexploded ordnancedisposal.
Mali was plunged into turmoil after aMarch 2012 coup that led to an Islamic rebel takeover of large swathesof the West African country before France launched a military operationin January last year to oust them.
Cambodiafirst sent its troops abroad in April 2006. To date, it has sent about1,800 peacekeepers to Sudan, South Sudan, Chad, Central African Republicand Lebanon. Most of them have ended their missions and returned home,except those in South Sudan and Lebanon.-VNA
Prak Sokhonn, Chairman of the National Coordination Committeeof UN Peacekeeping Operation, said during a meeting with Cambodianpeacekeepers that it is the first time that the country will sendmilitary personnel to Mali under the UN umbrella.
He said some 30 team leaders will leave for Mali on February 9 in order to manage tasks in advance.
According to Lt. Gen. Sem Sovanny, General Director of the NationalCentre for the Peacekeeping Force, a total of 298 troops will be sent toMali later this month.
He added that they aredivided into two groups. One will be responsible for airport repairs andmaintenance and the other will be in charge of unexploded ordnancedisposal.
Mali was plunged into turmoil after aMarch 2012 coup that led to an Islamic rebel takeover of large swathesof the West African country before France launched a military operationin January last year to oust them.
Cambodiafirst sent its troops abroad in April 2006. To date, it has sent about1,800 peacekeepers to Sudan, South Sudan, Chad, Central African Republicand Lebanon. Most of them have ended their missions and returned home,except those in South Sudan and Lebanon.-VNA
