Nepal seeks to double its participation in the UN peace keeping forces

Nepal is interested in doubling its current level of participation in the United Nations peace keeping forces, Defense minister Balkrishna Khand told a visiting UN official on Monday, the Nepali Army said in a press statement quoting the minister.

During a meeting with visiting UN Secretary-General Atul Khare in Kathmandu, the Nepali Defense Minister said that his country wants to contribute more in the UN peace keeping forces as they have made a significant contribution in establishing peace in different conflict-hit countries around the world in the past.

"The Nepali Army is interested to take the lead in major positions at the UN peace keeping missions as well. I do believe that the Nepali Army is capable enough to hold such key positions in the UN peace keeping forces," the minister was quoted in the press statement as saying.

On the occasion, the visiting UN top official lauded the Nepali Army's role in the UN peace keeping forces.

Nepal has remained as the six largest contributor in the UN peace keeping forces over the years, according to officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal.

As many as 43,00 Nepali Army personnel are currently working with UN peace keeping missions in different countries around the world, local Kantipur Daily reported on Monday. Endit