Malaysian Female Peacekeepers Head to Lebanon

Ten female soldiers from Malaysia are expected in Lebanon on Tuesday to serve for six months with the Malaysian contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, Malaysia's National News Agency reported.

The agency quoted Armed Forces chief Gen. Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, who presided their sending off ceremony, as saying they would replace the first batch of female members of the armed forces who are completing duty on Jan 21.

The second batch is led by an officer, and made up of eight soldiers, a member of the Royal Malaysian Navy, and a member of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, he said.

Speaking to reporters at the ceremony, the general said they had undergone an intensive integration training.

“Although their number is small, their involvement and contribution is very important, particularly when dealing with cases involving women and children,” he said.

The head of the group, Lt. Nur Hidayah Zailan, 26, said her group had sufficient training to prepare them physically and mentally for the peacekeeping mission.

“We are proud to represent the country for a noble mission and we hope we can help bring glory to the country,” she said.

Malaysia contributes around 883 troops to UNIFIL, according to the mission's website.