A small reduction in the number of UNFICYP in Cyprus and internal reshuffles, suggests UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in his report on the strategic review of the peacekeeping force.
In particular, Mr. Guterres suggests reducing the number of peacekeepers from 888 to 860.
He notes that out of the authorized military force of 888 people, the 28 positions were defined based on Security Council Resolution 22-63, in January 2016, to support military planning efforts pending a possible solution to the Cyprus problem.
Of the 28 posts, he proposes, like the 8, to be maintained for some time, in order to meet the surveillance requirements at the Deryneia and Lefkas crossing points, which, as he states, are expected to open in the coming months.
Mr. Guterres also stressed that for the time being, UNFICYP will remain a peacekeeping company, based on infantry, but with a reinforced observation unit.
The goal, he says, is to make the force more effective in the effort to maintain calm in the protected area and to avoid escalating tensions, helping to create the conditions for a resumption of negotiations.
Editor: Panagiotis Giorgallis
Source: RIK News