The Fiji military is now trying to figure out what to do with more than two hundred personnel returning from peacekeeping duties in Sinai.

Defence Minister Timoci Natuva told parliament that the unexpected withdrawal of the Fiji Contingent by the Multinational Force and Observer’s Group has forced the RFMF to re-think its deployment plans.

246 Fijian peace-keepers are expected to return home from Sinai as the situation worsens and security threats increase.

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Natuva says only 92 will stay back under the MFO.

”Given the planned reduction of RFMF MFO troop’s strength from 338 to 92 personnel, this has prompted the RFMF to re-evaluate the overseas deployment plans and the insertion of returning MFO personnel into various units locally as well and consideration of some to other overseas deployments.”

Natuva says the ninety two peacekeepers will be stationed at locations where they have to protect civilian observer units based in the MFO South Camp in Sham-el-Shiek.

”This apparent reduction of Fiji troops is still at a negotiation stage with Government pursuing dialogue with the involved States of Egypt, Israel the US and MFO HQ in Rome.”

The first group of sixty-five returning Fijians are expected home by the end of this week.

Natuva adds there are no plans to reduce Fiji’s battalion in other peacekeeping nations despite existing threats.

“Fiji remains steadfast in the commitment to the UNDOF mandate and Mission leadership with the next rotation due for late July, 2016. This rotation is significant in that the deployed personnel will be accompanied by the first equipment from the Russian military aid to Fiji.”

Fiji has 643 military personnel, police officers and Corrections officers serving in United Nations Missions and the Multinational Force and Observers.