10:46 GMT, March 8, 2010 New Zealand Defence Force Major General Warren Whiting has taken command of the Multinational Force Observers (MFO) in the Sinai, in a handover ceremony earlier this week.

On 1 March 2010, Major General Whiting took over command from Norwegian Major General K. Narve Ludvigsen at North Camp, El Gorah.

Major General Whiting is the second New Zealand officer to command the Force, which provides mediation between the two Parties to the Treaty of Peace between Egypt and Israel.

Over 1600 troops from 12 nations, together with 800 specialist civilian employees monitor the 210km common border between Egypt and Israel.

The MFO has been in operation since 1981, and the NZDF has maintained a constant presence in the mission. There is currently a 28-strong Kiwi contingent in the Sinai.

There are currently 973 New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed on 14 peacekeeping operations, UN missions and defence exercises around the world.