China sends new peacekeeping team to Lebanon

ANKARA

China has dispatched a new contingent of peacekeepers to join the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), according to the Ministry of National Defense and state-run media reports on Saturday.

The second group of personnel from China's 23rd peacekeeping contingent successfully arrived in southern Lebanon on Thursday, where they joined the first group already in the mission area, the Global Times reported.

A total of 410 Chinese personnel will serve in Lebanon for one year, taking over responsibilities from the 22nd contingent. Their duties include maintaining peace and stability, providing humanitarian aid, and conducting construction projects in the region.

Since 2006, more than 7,000 Chinese peacekeepers have been deployed to Lebanon as part of UNIFIL, a mission established to monitor the cessation of hostilities following the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid