Kathmandu, April 12

Nepal will not recall its peacekeeping soldiers deployed in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, Nepali Army and the United Nations have said. The statement comes days after some of the media claimed that Nepali peacekeeping troops deployed in the country were returning home.

NA has expressed concerns about worsening security situation in Libya, as rebels of the Libyan National Army are trying to capture Tripoli. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres met Libyan National Army General Khalifa Hafta on April 5 to enforce humanitarian truce but the rebel leader rejected the offer.

“The situation in the Libyan capital is deteriorating and there are security concerns,” an NA official said. But as long as UN Support Mission is in Libya, NA will not withdraw its peacekeeping troops, a statement issued today by NA said. The UN also stated today that Nepali peacekeepers will remain in Libya.

“Contrary to reports, there’s no plan to withdraw the Nepalese Guard Unit. It continues its mission in Tripoli with @UNSMILibya. We greatly value their contribution & continue reviewing contingency planning in light of developments,” the UN spokesperson said in a Twitter message.

Nepal has a contingent of 231 peacekeepers under a lieutenant colonel in Libya. NA Major General Binoj Basnyat said it would be difficult for Nepali peacekeeping troops to return home even if the government took a decision on the issue, as they had been deployed in the country by the UN. Rumours about Nepali peacekeepers started spreading after India and the US withdrew their contingents from Tripoli.