PHNOM PENH: Director General of the National Center for Peacekeeping Forces Management General Sem Sovanny addressed a meeting with officers of the National Peacekeeping Center, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Committee Prak Sokhon.

The meeting was held Thursday morning at the National Center addressing that in late January and mid-February of this year Cambodia will send more than 400 Blue Helmet troops to join UN missions in the Republic of Lebanon. Of those 400 troops selected, 184 are multi-skilled engineers and 219 troops will be working as demining agents at the Central Africa Republic, replacing the old force which is about to complete its one-year mission.

During the 16 years of mission from Cambodian Blue Helmet troops, from 2006 to the present, the National Center has sent a total of 7,899 soldiers, including 528 women. The Blue Helmets have been sent already to 11 different missions in nine countries, including Sudan, South Sudan, Lebanon, Cyprus, Syria, Mali, Central Africa and Yemen.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the National Coordinating Committee for the Deployment of Peacekeeping Forces, Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhon stated the Cambodian Blue Helmet Force’s missions show its commitment to increase involvement, both quantitative and qualitative, of Cambodian participation in peacekeeping missions.

The Deputy Prime Minister has also stressed that such forces have been being trained in line with the new UN reforms through activities for peace as well as following health measures for living with Covid-19 in the so called ‘new normal’.