Ban names new force commander for UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia

A Pakistani general with previous experience serving with United Nations operations in Cambodia has been named the world body’s new force commander in Liberia, succeeding a fellow-countryman at the head of the nearly 10,000-strong uniformed component of the peacekeeping mission there.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today the appointment of Major General Muhammad Khalid as Force Commander of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to replace Lieutenant General Sikander Afzal, whose tour of duty ends on 28 November.

Maj-Gen. Khalid served with the UN Transitional Administration in Cambodia (UNTAC) as a Military Observer in 1992-1993. He has had a distinguished military career since joining the Pakistani military in 1979, including significant command positions. Since December he has served as Commander of the Logistics Area in Quetta, Pakistan.

UNMIL, set up by the Security Council in 2003, played a major role in restoring stability and a democratic government after decade and a half of civil war.