KATHMANDU, Sept 4: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense, Ishwar Pokhrel met with his counterpart, Yaacoub Sarraf in Lebanon. Two two dwelt into historic relationship of the two countries and the role of Nepal's army to bring peace in Lebanon among others.
Sarraf praised the role of Nepal Army in the country's peace process since 1958 AD and remembered those deceased while helping to bring stability in his country. He added that his country would treat the families of the deceased soldiers as its own and provide state facilities that Lebanese enjoyed. Twenty nine Nepal Army soldiers lost their lives while bringing stability in Lebanon in its 62 years of service. More than 5,000 Nepali soldiers have been deployed in various parts of Lebanon.
‘Lebanon to treat Nepali peacekeepers as equals to Lebanese Arm...
"Lebanese have shown different respect to Nepal Army. This has played an important role to increase people-to-people connectivity," Sarraf said.
In turn, Pokhrel said that Nepal was always committed to help Lebanon be peaceful. He added that Nepal had and will always advocate for Lebanon's peace, stability and development.
Drawing his experience from Nepal itself, Pokhrel said that an elected government would help to bring peace and stability in a country, including Lebanon. "This is an experience from Nepal, which underwent 12 years of armed conflict. Now, we are heading towards peace," Nepal's DPM said as he invited his counterpart to visit Nepal.
Nepal had sent its army to establish peace in Lebanon five years before the two countries entered diplomatic relationship in 1963.