Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration Timoci Natuva has reiterated Fiji’s commitment to global peace through peacekeeping while speaking to Fijian troops in Lebanon.

The ministerial tour was hosted by the Fiji contingent with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and United Nations Troops Supervision Organisation (UNTSO).

A statement from the Ministry of Defence said: “This redeployment to the UNIFIL differs significantly from Fiji’s last participation in terms of the advanced military systems currently in place and the support to the Fiji contingent.”

Republic of Fiji Military Forces Land Force Commander Colonel Sitiveni Qiliho explained that the UNIFIL had much better military platforms, high tech security systems in place and  modern Armoured Personal Carrier (APC) .

Fiji rejoined the Mission in February of this year after a lapse of 13 years.

UNIFIL consists of 39 Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) and is currently headed by Major-General Luciano Portonano of Italy.

Mr Natuva also paid a courtesy call to the UNIFIL Acting Head of Mission Imran Riza and to the Observer Group in Lebanon (OGL).

Mr Riza praised the 146-strong Fijian contingent for their professionalism and dedication to the UNIFIL mandate.

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