Malaysian to lead UN force in E. Timor

Malaysian to lead UN force in E. Timor

EAST TIMOR: A Malaysian general is to be the next commander of United Nations peacekeeping forces in East Timor, the UN announced on Monday.

Lt. Gen. Khairuddin Mat Yusof will replace Singaporean Maj. Gen. Tan Huck Gim when Tan finishes his one-year tour of duty at the end of August.

Yusof has more than 30 years' experience in the Malaysian army and served as assistant military adviser at UN headquarters in New York from October 1991 until April 1993, the UN said in a statement.

He has also attended military courses in Malaysia, Britain and Pakistan and holds a postgraduate degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies.

The United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor, which includes about 3,800 peacekeeping troops, bows out on May 20 next year. It took over from a much larger mission following independence on May 20, 2002. --AFP