‘Lebanon to treat Nepali peacekeepers as equals to Lebanese Army servicemen’

KATHMANDU, Sept 5: Lebanese Defense Minister Yacoub Sarraf on Tuesday said that Lebanon would treat the Nepali peacekeeping forces deployed in the country as equals to the Lebanese Army servicemen. 

Sarraf told his Nepalese counterpart Ishwar Pokharel during a meeting in Beirut that they have already initiated the process to make provisions for equal facilities for the Nepali peacekeeping forces, especially those who lost their lives while carrying out their duty in Lebanon. 

Defense Minister Pokharel, who is in an official visit to Lebanon, had discussed about the long-term relationship between Nepal and Lebanon along with Nepal Army’s contribution in maintaining peace in Lebanon with Sarraf, according to Pokharel’s personal secretary Lokendra KC. 

During the meeting, Lebanese Minister Sarraf praised the Nepali peacekeepers deployed in Lebanon, said KC. 

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In a span of 62 years, 29 Nepal Army personnel have lost their lives in course of their duty. KC said that Sarraf vowed to treat their family members on par with the Lebanese citizens by providing them with the same treatment and facilities. 

As of now, over 5000 peacekeepers have served in Lebanon to establish peace. Sarraf reportedly said what the Nepal Army has done for his nation is nothing less than what a true citizen would do for his country. 

“Though peacekeepers from other nations have also been deployed here, we have a different respect for Nepal Army,” KC quoted Sarraf as saying. 

“This has helped to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries,” he added. 

According to KC, Minster Pokharel reciprocated by saying that Nepal will always be willing to provide any assistance it can and wished for a peaceful, stable, and successful Lebanon. 

He invited the Lebanese minister for a visit to Nepal and proposed to include Lebanese Armed Force officials in Nepal Command Course, Para Basic Training, and other specialized courses.

Nepal has been sending its military personnel to Lebanon since 1963, five years before the establishment of diplomatic relations with the country. 

Defense Minister Pokharel, who left for Lebanon on Friday, will return home on September 8 after visiting Poland.