ULAN BATOR, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia launched a multinational peacekeeping training exercise under the code name of Khaan Quest 2008 Thursday, with an opening ceremony 65 km east of the capital Ulan Bator.

    Up to 360 military personnel from Mongolia, India, Thailand, Nepal and the United States are participating in the 17-day exercise, involving drillmasters' training, field exercises and medical training.

    The exercise is aimed at improving the tactics used in UN peacekeeping operations, according to the Mongolian Ministry of Defense.

    At the opening ceremony, Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar said his country has actively joined UN peacekeeping operations in recent years and has paid much attention to improving peacekeepers' abilities.

    Tsevegsuren Togoo, the chief of staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces, said the exercise would enhance the peacekeeping skills of Mongolian soldiers and contribute to regional peace efforts.

    In 2003, Mongolia and the United States organized the joint military exercise Khaan Quest, which developed into a multinational military exercise in 2006.