SUBANG JAYA: The first batch of 160 Malaysian Contingent (Malcon) III troops, including 10 women, left for Lebanon for peacekeeping duties from the Subang Royal Malaysian Air Force base yesterday.

They left onboard a chartered Malaysian Airlines Airbus A330-200 to Beirut at 1.50pm.

On hand to see them off was Joint Force commander Leftenant General Datuk Allatif Mohd Noor.

The men will serve for nine months under the 13,300-strong United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil).

The 10 women, headed by Captain Khartina July, will serve for 41/2 months before a similar number, headed by Captain Nur Izanny Iyni, replaces them on Dec 15.
A second batch of 200 troops will leave for Lebanon on July 29.

Malcon III is led by Colonel Mohd Ezam Wan Chik, assisted by Leftenant Colonel Arman Rumaizi Ahmad.

The 360-strong Malcon III comprises 279 soldiers from the army, 40 from the Royal Malaysian Navy, 40 from the RMAF and a civilian officer from the Defence Ministry.

They will undertake administrative, patrol, quick reaction, commando and special force duties.