ASTANA. Feb 8 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan intends to increase the number of soldiers taking part in missions abroad in order to gain practical experience in districts "with a complex military-political situation" and in unfamiliar conditions, the Kazakh Defense Ministry's press service said on Friday.
"The second peacekeeping unit of 120 servicemen that has been formed is undergoing intense training" at the Iliysky training range in the Almaty region "to pursue a peacekeeping mission in the Lebanese Republic," it said.
The unit is being trained by specialists and officers who have participated in peacekeeping operations.
"The theoretical part of the training includes studying general provisions and structures of the UN and the specifics of the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. During the practical part, the peacekeepers improve skills related to serving at checkpoints and conduct practice patrols," the press service said.
Kazakh Defense Minister Nurlan Yermekbayev has inspected the unit for its level of preparedness and combat skills. The minister instructed peacekeepers "to accomplish their military duty to a high standard and return home triumphantly."
Kazakhstan dispatched the first 120 peacekeepers to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon in October 2018.