KL to re-evaluate peacekeeping role

KL to re-evaluate peacekeeping role

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia's Defense Ministry announced yesterday plans to re-evaluate its role with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Bosnia at the end of June, when its mandate expires.

Defense Minister Syed Hamid Albar said that Malaysia's decision to withdraw troops from the war-torn Balkan state will depend on Bosnia's military needs in June, Bernama news agency reported.

Syed was quoted as saying that Malaysia has already met with representatives from NATO and the UN Security Council to discuss the possibility of reducing its peacekeeping force.

The Bosnian government has asked Malaysia to maintain its military personnel, Syed said. However, Malaysia recently reduced its number of troops from some 2,000 to 780 based on the improved situation in Bosnia, Syed said.