Request made to consider increasing Fiji’s troop numbers in Syria and Lebanon

A request has been made to the UN’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations to consider increasing Fiji’s troop numbers in Syria and Lebanon given the new Bushmaster vehicle capabilities provided by Fiji.

This request was made by Minister for Defence Ratu Inoke Kubuabola at high-level meetings at the United Nations Head Quarters in New York.

Discussions also included Fiji’s consideration for future increases in Police and Corrections participation in UN missions in South Sudan and Darfur.

During the high-level meetings, Kubuabola also made a commitment for the deployment of the Fiji’s Formed Police Unit to any UN Mission from 2018‑2019, and this included Correctional officers.

Kubuabola will next travel to Rome to discuss with the Director General of the Multi‑National Force and Observer Mission-critical issues about Fiji’s troops in the Sinai Peninsula.