President Konrote, Ratu Epeli and Rabuka praise the French Army and other parties as they share stories of their first peacekeeping mission

President Jioji Konrote, Speaker of Parliament Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka have praised the helping hands of the French Army who had the weapons, experience and the diplomacy to make sure that the Fijian peacekeepers were taken care of in Lebanon.

These were their sentiments during a reflection on Fijian and global peacekeeping experience morning tea, hosted by the UN Resident Coordinator Sanaka Samarasinha and the Ambassador of France Jean-Francois Fitou.

Konrote, Ratu Epeli and Rabuka were part of Fiji’s first peacekeeping deployment under the United Nations banner to Lebanon in 1978 and it was led by Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

Konrote says they were ordered to deploy to Lebanon without a peace agreement signing with the Lebanese and other parties.

He also shares a story of his experience as part of that first peacekeeping mission.

Konrote says as the Commander on the ground, you have to be careful of how you utilize your men.

Meanwhile, Rabuka who was also part of Fiji’s first peacekeeping mission says the international corporation that existed before the deployment came in very handy.

Fiji has been participating in peacekeeping operations in the last 42 years and about 30,000 Fijians have taken part.