On 21 May, MINURSO celebrated Montenegro ’s National Day by raising its national flag at the Mission headquarters in Laayoune next to the UN flag.
This day, marks the independence of Montenegro from Serbia following the result of a referendum conducted on 21 May 2006.
Montenegro started participating in peacekeeping in August 2009 with the Peacekeeping Mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP). At present, Montenegro continues contributing to peace operations worldwide including MINURSO.
The flag represents the culture of the people of Montenegro. The two-headed eagle with a crown shows the close relationship between the church and the state. There is a shield at the center, which acts as protection to the eagle. The shield has a lion at the center that symbolizes the lion of Judah.