The troops, which were transported along with vehicles and equipment, were from Ghana's Engineering Company 1 and will build accommodation for the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) as well as supporting engineering projects.
Armed forces minister Andrew Robathan said the terrorist situation in Mali "actually threatens the United Kingdom".
"We have said we don't want to have troops on the ground but we are helping the French effort and we're helping the African effort as well," he said.
Colonel M'Bawine Atintande, director of public relations for the Ghana Armed Forces, said forces would be there "as long as it takes to solve the problem".
"The UK has given us so much support. Before AFISMA we have had so much support from Britain, including a training team," he said.
"There is training assistance they have given us in preparing the troops for the mission so by and large the UK government has given us so much that we need in the mission."
Britain has pledged to offer support for intervention in Mali but ministers have insisted British forces will not play a combat role.
In January, Downing Street confirmed that around 200 British soldiers would train troops in African countries outside Mali and that 40 advisers would be sent into the country in a training role.
In addition, C-17 airlift support has already been provided and the UK has also deployed a Sentinel reconnaissance aircraft.
Source: http://www.defencemanagement.com/news_story.asp?id=22163
google privacy changes windows 8 preview leap year moratorium dwts season 14 cast leap day michigan primary results
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.