German troops for Mombasa

2002-08-16 22:08

Mombasa - A fresh contingent of German navy troops arrived Friday in this Indian Ocean port to help monitor ships travelling to and from Somalia, part of the US-led war against terrorism, a German military spokesman said.

The troops - navy pilots and flight crews - will spend the next three months flying surveillance missions over the waters off Somalia, which has been cited by US officials as a possible haven for terrorists fleeing Afghanistan, said Lt Frank Martin.

They replace another group that just finished its tour, he said.

Another surveillance plane also arrived Friday to replace one of three planes used by the Germans, Martin said. The other plane is returning to Germany for routine maintenance

The planes fly 10 hour missions on a rotating basis, he said.

The soldiers are staying at the Giriama Beach Hotel in Mombasa, Martin said. - Sapa-AP

- SAPA