A batch of 96 Pakistan troops has left for the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in Burundi, according to an official statement. The troops from the Army's Engineer Corps would relieve their counterparts of their duty in the war-ravaged African country as part of their routine troops rotation programme. Around 1,100 of Pakistani blue berets were performing in various peacekeeping tasks under the assigned mission by the world body since last year under the United Nations Operation at Burundi (ONUB). The Pakistani peacekeepers have rendered meritorious services under the aegis of the UN and restored peace and order in the troubled countries, Brig Tariq Mahmood said and advised the troops to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors and maintain an image befitting them as committed soldiers and ambassadors of their country. The UN Security Council had decided to authorize the deployment of the ONUB on May 21, 2004. The Council decided that the ONUB would consist of a maximum of 5,650 military personnel. It also authorized ONUB to use all necessary means to ensure respect for ceasefire agreements by monitoring their implementation and investigating their violations. The Council certified them to carry out disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants and monitor the illegal flow of arms across the national borders. The mandate also included contribution to the creation of necessary security conditions for the provision of humanitarian assistance and facilitating the voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons as well as contributing to the successful completion of the electoral process by ensuring a secure environment for free, transparent and peaceful elections. The period of operation has currently been extended till December 2005, the release added.
