A 62-strong New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) contingent left for a six-month deployment to Timor- Leste Saturday.
The contingent, made up of personnel from 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment and supporting units, will support the Australian-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Timor-Leste.
The improved security situation in Timor-Leste had allowed the International Stabilization Force to evolve from a security and stabilization role to supporting the capacity building of the Falintil-For as de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL, the Timor-Leste Defence Force), said a statement from the New Zealand Army.
The NZDF has supported various peacekeeping operations in Timor- Leste since 1999, when a referendum was held on independence from Indonesia, sparking violence.
The United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste was established in 2006 and is tasked with supporting the Timor-Leste government and security institutions, including the F-FDTL and Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (the National Police of Timor- Leste).
As part of a planned drawdown, brought about by the improving security situation in Timor-Leste, the NZDF's contribution was reduced from 140 to 75 personnel in May 2010. The Australian Defence Force also reduced its personnel numbers during 2010 to around 400.
In March 2011, the UN welcomed the transfer of responsibilities for all police operations back to the Policia Nacional de Timor- Leste.
The NZDF contribution to Timor-Leste includes a military observer with the United Nations Mission in Timor-Leste, five advisors to the F-FDTL, and four personnel in the National Support Element based in Darwin, Australia.
Source: Xinhua
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