EU to send 500 troops to CAR, fewer than expected
Iran Press TV
Tue Jan 21, 2014 1:18PM GMT
The European Union has revised a plan to send a battalion-sized force to the Central African Republic (CAR), choosing instead to deploy half as many troops to the African country, an official says.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told reporters that about 500 soldiers will be deployed on a self-proclaimed stabilization mission to the CAR, refuting official claims on Monday that up to 1,000 soldiers could be dispatched.
"This means that in cooperation with the UN and with the African forces, Europe will militarily support Central African Republic, as we asked," Fabius noted.
Ministers approved a rudimentary military mission to send soldiers to back up approximately 1,600 French and 4,000 African soldiers already stationed in the violence-torn country.
Officials had earlier said the mission would be limited to four to six months with troops needed at Bangui Airport to take over security and relieve French troops.
Other diplomatic sources noted that Poland, the Czech Republic, Belgium and Spain are most likely to contribute with sending troops as well.
The Central African Republic spiraled into chaos after Christian militias launched coordinated attacks on the mostly Muslim Seleka group, who overthrew former President Francois Bozize, and brought Michel Djotodia to power in March 2013. Bozize fled the country after his ouster.
On January 10, Djotodia stepped down due to intense pressure over the government's failure to end the bloodshed in the country.
France invaded its former colony on December 5, 2013, after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution giving the African Union and France the go-ahead to send troops to the country.
GMA/PR
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