Tunisia will send in the next few weeks 200 soldiers to join the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), and protect UN headquarters, logistical bases as well as its equipment and installations at the Kinshasa airport.
UN secretary general representative to Congo, Kamel Morjane made the disclosure in an interview with the Tunisian newspaper, La presse, saying it was in accordance with President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's decision to contribute to the maintenance of peace and security in the Great Lakes.
The Tunisian diplomat said dispatching the contingent to DR Congo "is an expression of Tunisia's commitment to peace in the world, and especially in Africa.”
He added that it is also a "sign of solidarity toward a brotherly people.”
Morjane recalled Tunisia's support to DR Congo after independence when Algiers played a key role in its admission to the UN and contributed soldiers to the first UN peacekeeping operation in Kinshasa.
Meanwhile, Morocco has announced early this week that it will send 850 soldiers to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of the UN peace keeping force.
The contingency received its pennant from Prince Moulay Rachid, King Mohammed VI's younger brother, at the military air base at Inezzagane near Agadir on Friday.
The official television of Morocco said that “the sending of the troops to the DRC is in accordance with the Kingdom of Morocco's tradition of fulfilling its international obligations,” – Albawaba.com
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