BEIJING, June 8 -- The commander of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon has praised the performance of the Chinese contingent, saying it is a major component of the UN mission in the country.

    Major General Alain Pelligrini made the comment on Tuesday during an inspection tour to the Chinese peacekeepers' barracks.

    The 182-member Chinese contingent, who arrived in southern Lebanon as China's first peacekeeping force to the Middle East, is mainly engaged in mine-sweeping, construction projects and humanitarian aid.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)