Malaysia mulling over sending peacekeepers to Syria

The Malaysian Armed Forces have not decided yet whether to send a peacekeeping force to Syria, which is currently experiencing violent turbulence. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the decision to send a peacekeeping force there would also depend on the stand of the United Nations Security Council. “The situation in Syria at the moment is still uncertain. If there is a request, we are prepared to send a team of observers but this will also depend on the cabinet’s decision,” he was quoted by Malaysian News Agency (Bernama) said after breaking fast with about 700 members of the MAF at the Solahuddin Al-Ayyubi Mosque, Penrissen Camp, here, today. Ahmad Zahid said since the country’s independence, Malaysia had been able to send about 25,000 members of its security forces to countries torn by internal strife, winning trust and high recognition from the United Nations. He said the success of Malaysia’s peacekeeping forces was not limited to security operations in the turbulent countries but also included community welfare programmes organised.