Nepal to contribute battalion to UN for Lebanon

Kathmandu, Aug 20: The Nepalese government has pledged to send an army battalion to the proposed United Nations Peacekeeping force to be deployed in Southern Lebanon, following the Israel-Hizbollah clash, media reports said here today.

''Yes we did indicate our contribution of a mechanised infantry battalion - up to 800 troops - to UNIFIL in Lebanon in view of our long association in the mission there,'' The Kathmandu Post quoted Madhu Raman Acharya, Nepal's Permanent Representative to the UN, as saying.

Italy has pledged three battalions, the highest so far, and Bangladesh two battalions. With this, Nepal stands third in troop contribution pledges, it said.

The UN had decided to deploy 15,000 UN troops in southern Lebanon along with the Lebanese army to control the situation following Israel's attack and the subsequent ceasefire.

Nepal has been contributing troops to the UN since late 1950s.

UNI

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