Gambian Armed Forces draw praise

LONDON, April 2 (UPI) -- The Gambian Armed Forces are being recognized for their peacekeeping efforts by the United Nations following the completion of a British training program.

The armed forces participated in a peacekeeping training program conducted by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, the British military's unit based Gibraltar. Four hundred soldiers from Gambia's armed forces completed the British training, which included exercises to counter rebels, patrolling, weapons handling and other tasks to support peacekeeping operations, the British Ministry of Defense reported.

Following the training, the Gambian units have been deployed to places including Burundi, Liberia and the volatile Darfur region of Sudan. Phil Sinkinson, the British high commissioner in Gambia, said officials from the United Nations have recognized the level of professionalism and skill of the newly trained Gambian troops, which has prompted a high demand for their deployment.

"The professionalism of the Gambian Armed Forces in Darfur is so striking that everyone wants them," Sinkinson said in a statement.

"The head of the U.N. mission definitely wants them to work in the force headquarters; he even wants them to guard his house. This is a real reflection of their professionalism."