United Nations names first female Peacekeeping Mission Commander

The United Nations has appointed the first woman to command one of the world body's peacekeeping operations.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon named Major General Kristin Lund, of Norway, as the force commander for the U.N. peacekeeping operation in Cyprus.

In a statement, Ban said, 'Major General Lund has had a distinguished military career, with over 34 years of military command and staff experience at national and international levels.'

Lund will command some 900 troops and police that monitor a 112-mile buffer zone that has separated Greek and Turkish Cypriots for decades.