14 Jul 2006

Fiji to consider deploying soldiers to Lebanon

3:33 pm on 14 July 2006

Fiji will consider deploying peacekeeping soldiers to the war-zone in Lebanon if there is an official request.

The Daily Post quotes the military spokesman, Major Neumi Leweni, as saying Fiji troops served in war stricken Lebanon for 24 years from 1978 to 2002.

Major Leweni says the families of more than 12,000 soldiers benefited from remittances when they served in Lebanon under the United Nations.

He says Fiji played a crucial role in restoring peace in Lebanon at least for a while and will wait for a request if its troops are needed again.

Israel launched air and ground attacks in Lebanon overnight after Hisbollah guerillas captured two Israeli soldiers and captured eight others.