Kiwi in command in Sinai
Major General Warren Whiting has taken command of the Multinational Force Observers in Sinai.
The New Zealand Defence Force commander replaced a Norwegian Major General this week at a handover ceremony in El Gorah.
The Multinational Force & Observers (MFO) is an independent international organization, with peacekeeping responsibilities in the Sinai. The origins of the MFO lie in Annex I to the 1979 Treaty of Peace between Egypt and Israel. In 1981, the Treaty Parties negotiated a Protocol that established the MFO and defined its mission.
There are four security zones in Sinai…three in Egypt and one in Israel. More than 1600 troops from 12 countries maintain a presence at the 200km border between Egypt and Israel.
There are currently 25 Australians and 26 New Zealanders serving in the area. The Kiwis report that they drive more than 350,000 kms each year in the course of their duties.
