Nepal to send 3,000 troops for UN missions in Burundi, Sudan and Lebanon

KATHMANDU, April 22, 2004 (Xinhua) — The Royal Nepal Army (RNA) is all set to send about 3,000 soldiers to three countries — Burundi,Sudan and Lebanon — for the United Nations peacekeeping missions in the near future, a high-ranking army official said.

“An infantry battalion will be deployed in Burundi by next month or soon after the UN team completes its appraisal on the RNA’s preparation,” The Himalayan Times newspaper on Thursday quoted the official as saying.

Certain troops have been demanded for Lebanon, where a few RNA observers have already been deployed, the official said on condition of anonymity.

Likewise, about a brigade including an infantry battalion, an engineer company, a company of military police and the RNA’s air force will leave for Sudan by December, he noted, adding that the Nepali troops will be taking three utility helicopters with them.

Meanwhile, about 1,200 RNA soldiers currently deployed in Sierra Leone are likely to be called back soon as the peace mission in the African country is near to completion.

Over 2,100 RNA soldiers and two dozens of military observers are currently engaged in UN missions in Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Lebanon, East Timor, Eritrea, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republicof Congo.