PM Bainimarama Received Well In Middle East

PM Commodre Bainimarama Received Well In Middle East

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji and Commander of the RFMF started off his visit to Fijian Servicemen and women in the Middle East in Khartoum, Sudan.

The Prime Minister and Commander of the RFMF was received upon arrival at Khartoum International Airport by the Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed El-Samani El-Wasila, Captain Penioni Naliva, the Contingent Commander of the RFMF contingent in Sudan and members of UNMIS Protocol section on Tuesday 11th December 2007. The PM was accorded VIP treatment on arrival and later escorted by official motorcade to his hotel.

Later in the evening the PM was hosted to a dinner by the Fiji Military and Police Officers together with the Fiji civilian staff employed with the UN in Sudan.

The Official visit to the UN HQ in Sudan included a meeting with the deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General in Sudan, Mr Taye Zerihoun, who applauded and commended the professionalism by the Fiji Military and Police Officers, whose contributions were significant to the overall success of the UN mandate in Sudan. He added that their experiences proved worthy in most difficult situations and notably, the officers fully understood the principles of peacekeeping.

Later, Commodore Bainimarama met with UNMIS Force Commander, Lieutenant General Jasbir Lidder who expressed his appreciation for the visit and stated that Fijian Military Observers deployed in the South of Sudan were performing well and commended their flexibility in adjusting to the challenging lifestyle in trying circumstances.

The Commissioner of UN Police in Khartoum also commended the remarkable performance of the Fijian Police Contingent and singled out Sivoki Tuwaqa who has been recommended for the post of Sector Commander, Sector 3 in the South of Sudan.

Overall the visit to Sudan has been a success and members of the Fijian Contingent in Sudan were most appreciative of the visit. In his presentation of the sevusevu, Samu of the Police Contingent expressed their gratitude to the PM and Commander stating that it had been quite a while since a Prime Minister of Fiji had taken time to visit personnel deployed on UN duties overseas. The visit symbolizes a genuine concern and appreciation for the work by our servicemen and women.

The PM moves on to Egypt, to visit the Second Battalion, Fiji Infantry Regiment before continuing to Iraq.

ENDS

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