A UN investigation has unveiled significant financial misconduct by a Ukrainian military unit in the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The unit, including its commanding officer, will be replaced, a UN spokesperson said Friday.

The findings, in a report of a UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) investigation requested by UNIFIL, have been shared with the Ukrainian government, which has confirmed its readiness to take prompt action to investigate these allegations, spokesperson Marie Okabe told reporters.

"Both the UN and the government of Ukraine are taking this matter very seriously," Okabe said. "The UN has initiated action to replace the Ukrainian unit in UNIFIL and is taking necessary measures to prevent a recurrence."

The Ukrainian government has sent its own team to Lebanon to investigate and has informed the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) that it has already taken disciplinary action against the individuals concerned and is putting into place measures to eliminate any recurrence, and will inform the DPKO of these steps.

UNIFIL, established in March 1978 to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, currently has nearly 2,000 military personnel, including a 500-strong battalion from Ukraine.

Source: Xinhua