Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – A total 1,432 Bangladeshi peacekeepers were awarded with United Nations (UN) medals for their outstanding contributions of strengthening peace in Liberia.
Moustapha Soumare, acting head of United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), handed over the medals at a ceremony at Camp CARI in Gbarnga, Bong County on March 22, a United Nations Information Centre press statement said in the capital Dhaka on Wednesday.
Praising Bangladeshi peacekeepers for their devoted service, Moustapha said, “Your (Bangladeshi peacekeepers) relentless and vigorous patrolling along the borders has contributed greatly to alleviating cross-border challenges and has added to stability in the region.”
He also lauded the peacekeepers for their commitment to intermission cooperation, citing the deployment of 144 officers last December to support legislative elections in Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast).
Moustapha also singled out a program put together by Bangladeshi engineers to train the Armed Forces of Liberia in combat engineering, describing it as “very important as UNMIL prepares to enter the next phase of the transition process, gradually handing over greater security responsibilities to Liberian authorities.”
BBN/SSR/SI-28Mar12-9:10 pm (BST)
