Namibian troops for Liberia

2003-08-11 20:07

Windhoek - Namibia has offered two battalions of troops - more than 1 500 men - to serve with a UN force in Liberia, the foreign ministry said on Monday.

The offer at the beginning of last week "was made against the background of the government's concern for the situation that has been deteriorating in Liberia, and the government's concern for humanity", Deputy Permanent Secretary Hinyangerwa Asheeke told AFP.

"We thought we could make a gesture to help addressing this serious situation."

The UN Security Council passed US-sponsored Resolution 1497 on August 1 for the formation of an international peacekeeping force in Liberia.

The resolution called for formation of a "multinational force" to enforce a June 17 ceasefire agreement signed by government forces and two rebel groups seeking to overthrow president Charles Taylor, who quit office on Monday and handed power over to his deputy, Moses Blah.

It also authorised preparation for a longer-term UN "stabilisation force" to relieve the multinational force, and asked Secretary General Kofi Annan to submit recommendations on the size, structure and mandate of that force by August 15, for deployment no later than October 1.

In the meantime, the resolution authorizes soldiers deployed in a UN mission in neighbouring Sierra Leone to temporarily join other troops already committed by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).

Pakistan announced Monday that it would send an unspecified number of troops to Liberia.

"We are being approached for providing troops to both the multinational force and peacekeeping operation," foreign ministry spokesman Masood Khan told a weekly briefing.

He said Pakistan was consulting other UN Security Council members on the number of troops and dates of deployment which he believed would be finalised in the near future.

Bangladesh announced earlier this month that it would contribute a brigade (3 000 to 5 000 men), and South Africa also said it was considering a request to provide troops. - Sapa-AFP

- SAPA