6 Mar 2010

New Zealander in charge of peacekeeping force

9:31 pm on 6 March 2010

A senior New Zealand army officer has taken over the command of peacekeeping troops stationed on the border separating Egypt and Israel.

Major General Warren Whiting is now in charge of the Multinational Force Observers in the Sinai.

There is currently a 28-strong New Zealand contingent in the region.

More than 1600 troops from 12 nations, and 800 specialist civilian staff monitor the border between Egypt and Israel.