Brunei sends 30 army personnel to Lebanon peace-keeping mission

United Nations peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) patrol near the village of Mais el Jabal, along the southern Lebanese border with Israel on Aug 26, 2020. - AFP

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Xinhua): A flag handover ceremony for 30 Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) personnel was held on Wednesday (Sept 23) at Bolkiah Garrison, the country's defence ministry said.

According to the defence ministry, the 30 RBAF personnel will join the Malaysian Battalion 850-8 peacekeeping mission to the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The ceremony was presided with the handing of Brunei's national flag by Major General (U) Haji Hamzah, Commander of RBAF to Major Zulazri, Head of Brunei's Contingent. The contingent of 30 RBAF personnel will leave Brunei on Wednesday.

The defence ministry said RBAF has served UNIFIL since 2008 and has sent 34 officers and 278 RBAF personnel. Brunei will continue to support the United Nation's initiatives in maintaining peace and stability in Lebanon.