ATM TO SEND 150 MORE MEN TO LEBANON

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) will send
150 more men to Lebanon under the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon
(Unifil) peacekeeping mission.

Joint Force Commander Left Gen Allatif Mohd Noor said the additional men was
not only to keep the peace but also to prepare for the general election.

He said the 150 additional men would be sent by the end of this month
pending approval by the Cabinet.

"The United Nations has asked the Malaysian government to send more men to
Lebanon for the election in June," he said when welcoming the return of Malcon
East III at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base at Subang near Friday.

Allatif said ATM has so far sent 50 officers and 540 members of various
ranks to Lebanon.

"Malcon East IV has left for Lebanon to take over from Malcon East III. I am
glad that the 203 members of Malcon III led by Col Mohd Ezam Wan Chik have
returned safely after serving in Lebanon for nine months," he said.
--BERNAMA