UN Secretary-General names first-ever female Peacekeeping commander

The head of the United Nations congratulated the first-ever female Force Commander of the international organization's Peacekeeping Missions on Monday.

Major General Kristen Lund, aged 56, was appointed to replace Major General Chao Lui of China as commander of the mission in Cyprus when he departs in August.

"Today, she makes history at the United Nations. 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," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the media.

"Today we shatter another glass ceiling - and we do it with commanding force. Our operation in Cyprus today becomes the first in the world to have dual female leadership. It is just one of five peacekeeping operations led by women - the highest proportion in our history."

Lund has over 34 years of military experience and was the first female general in the Norwegian Army. Her previous assignments included deputy commander of the Norwegian Armed Forces Command and chief of staff of the Norwegian Home Guard. The Major General also served with U.N. missions in Lebanon and Yugoslavia.

"I am very pleased and proud that I got this assignment. I have wanted to become a force commander for some time. Already, when I started my career, or my first appointment, in 1986 I thought that this was something that I'd really like to do," said Lund.

A U.N. peace-keeping mission has existed in Cyprus since 1964. The current force of 930 soldiers patrols the ceasefire lines and buffer zone created after the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island following a Greek-backed coup d'etat of the Cypriot government.

Cyprus remains divided between its Greek and Turkish halves despite numerous efforts to reunite the island under auspices of the U.N.

After a two-year hiatus negotiations resumed earlier this year, but have yet to show significant progress. - Reuters