Prime Minister and Army Commander, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has called on the people of the nation to pray for the peacekeeping efforts of the 182 Fijian soldiers and their safe return as they leave for the UN mission in the Syrian Golan Heights today.
In a national address, Commodore Bainimarama said the 182 soldiers received a fitting farewell yesterday.
Commodore Bainimarama said the soldiers are prepared for the mission and they are well aware of the volatile situation in the Golan Heights.
The Prime Minister said Fiji has offered 500 soldiers for the mission and is willing to consider more if the UN needs more assistance.
Fiji’s UN mission to the Golan Heights will be led by Lt Colonel Sitiveni Qiliho.
Meanwhile yesterday morning thousands of people gathered at Albert Park to witness the military parade of the Fiji troops and their farewell ceremony.
The troops will leave for Golan Heights on a United Nations Charter flight out off Nadi today.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
