UN chief Ban Ki-moon Monday named Major General Kristin Lund to take command of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus. The Norwegian commander will be the first female to command a UN force.

Lund (56) will replace Major General Chao Liu of China on Aug. 13, who has led the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) since 2011. 

Ban pays tribute to Major General Lius service with UNFICYP, where his dedication, professionalism and leadership greatly contributed to United Nations efforts, UN spokespersons office said in announcing the appointment of Lund.

"I congratulate Major-General Kristin Lund on her appointment as the new Force Commander of our peacekeeping operation in Cyprus. Today, she makes history at the United Nations," said the UN chief at a photo opportunity with Lund. 

Ban added that "in our six and a half decades of UN peacekeeping operations, we have had scores of male force commanders but she is our first woman in that position." Lund said she was "very pleased and proud" to get the assignment.

Lund became the first female officer promoted to the rank of major general in Norway in 2009 when she was appointed Chief of Staff of the Norwegian Home Guard. In 2014, she was appointed to the Norwegian Defense Staff as head of Veteran Affairs. She was deployed with the UN in Lebanon in 1986 and was also involved with other UN missions.

The UN has maintained UNFICYP in Cyprus since 1964 after an outbreak of inter-communal tensions. It is now a force of 930 soldiers and 66 police.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when the Turkish military intervened and occupied the islands north following a coup by a group of Greek officers.
Source: ANTARA