Baluarte
06-04-2013, 04:59 PM
NORWAY - Norway on Monday offered 25 troops and police to the UN peacekeeping force for Mali that should be deployed in July, a minister said Monday.
Sweden last week proposed sending 70 soldiers to the UN force in Mali, where France is currently leading an offensive against Islamist militants, highlighting the growing European focus on the battle against extremism in Africa.
Norway will send five staff officers, 15 intelligence officers and five police advisors to the UN force known under the acronym of MINUSMA, the defence ministry said in a statement.
Most of the troops in MINUSMA, which will eventually be 12,600 strong, are expected to come from Africa, but China has offered more than 500 troops. The UN wants other non-African countries involved.
Gry Larsen, a deputy foreign minister for Norway, said for Europe this is about international terrorism.
"Norway has also experienced what terrorism in the region can reap."
Five Norwegians were among 37 people killed when al-Qaeda-linked militants attacked a gas plant in Algeria in January.
The attackers were thought to have crossed into the country from Mali.
France wants to hand over to the UN peacekeeping force in Mali on July 1.
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France can't hold Mali, and the African Union forces barely have any respect for International Humanitarian Law.
Nordic armies are in for a big one.
At least I hope they don't send drafted women.
Sweden last week proposed sending 70 soldiers to the UN force in Mali, where France is currently leading an offensive against Islamist militants, highlighting the growing European focus on the battle against extremism in Africa.
Norway will send five staff officers, 15 intelligence officers and five police advisors to the UN force known under the acronym of MINUSMA, the defence ministry said in a statement.
Most of the troops in MINUSMA, which will eventually be 12,600 strong, are expected to come from Africa, but China has offered more than 500 troops. The UN wants other non-African countries involved.
Gry Larsen, a deputy foreign minister for Norway, said for Europe this is about international terrorism.
"Norway has also experienced what terrorism in the region can reap."
Five Norwegians were among 37 people killed when al-Qaeda-linked militants attacked a gas plant in Algeria in January.
The attackers were thought to have crossed into the country from Mali.
France wants to hand over to the UN peacekeeping force in Mali on July 1.
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France can't hold Mali, and the African Union forces barely have any respect for International Humanitarian Law.
Nordic armies are in for a big one.
At least I hope they don't send drafted women.