Defence News

(PakistaniDefence.com)

August  2001

Pak Army Battalion Deployed In Kono District Of Sierra Leone 

August 5, 2001 

The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) yesterday began deploying peacekeepers to Kono District in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone. 

This latest move in its ongoing efforts to further re-establish its presence throughout the country. A full battalion of Pakistani troops was deployed Sunday in the eastern Sierra Leone town of Koidu in the diamond-rich Kono district, a UN spokesman said. UN Military sources said more than 400 Pakistani soldiers arrived in the town on Sunday, taking the total number of Pakistani peacekeepers in the area to about 800 i.e the size of a battalion. Witnesses said their arrival early Sunday was marked by a spontaneous and stirring welcome from civilians.  

An advance party of UNAMSIL's Pakistani Contingent comprising of peacekeepers deployed to the newly established UNAMSIL's Sector 5 with its headquarters at Yengema. This advance party includes personnel of Sector 5 Headquarters and the Pakistani Battalion 1 ( called PAK-BATT 1)

Pakistan And Lebanon Sign Defence Agreements

August 9, 2001: 

In his current visit to Pakistan Labanese Prime Minster, Pakistan and Lebanon signed agreements to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries. According to details Pakistan will train Lebanese army in Pakistan. It is expected that every year Pakistan will take 15 to 20 Lebanese Army officers and train them in Pakistani Defence academies and war schools. 

In addition to that Pakistan will send three hundred of its military experts to Lebanon. Which will help them to clean mines in more effective way and train Lebanese army. Lebanese Prime minister has also offered that Pakistan can use Lebanon for strategic purposes.