Tunisian Parliament extends deployment of peacekeepers in Mali, CAR
Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - The Tunisian Parliament on Tuesday approved the extension of deployment of a military air transport unit in Mali and a helicopter unit in the Central African Republic (CAR) under the United Nations banner.
Speaking during the plenary session, Tunisian Defence Minister Brahim Bertéji said that these missions fall within the framework of Article 6 of the UN convention which does not require the use of force and armed intervention.
He indicated that the military air transport unit is deployed as part of the support provided to the United Nations Integrated Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
"The effectiveness of the Tunisian unit has been proven in the accomplishment of its mission, a work commended by the United Nations," he said.
According to Mr. Bertéji, the UN has requested the extension of the mission of the air transport unit after it had successfully completed its mission in Mali.
The number of Tunisian military personnel who had taken part in UN missions since Tunisia's independence stands at 10,153.
They have taken part in 23 missions under the banners of the UN and the African Union, the Tunisian Defence Minister recalled.
Tunisia has taken part in peacekeeping missions in Congo (1962), Somalia (1991), Cambodia (1992) and Rwanda (1993).
It has also sent surveillance units to Jordan (1974), Western Sahara (1991), South Africa, Haiti (1994) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (2001 and 2010).
Tunisia is currently has 23 officers as observers and advisers in Mali, South Sudan, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the minister said.
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