The first units of a French-led force to police lawless areas of northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will leave before the end of the week and set up an advance base in the Ugandan town of Entebbe, the defence ministry said today.
"Operation Mamba" will see the deployment of between 1,400 and 1,500 foreign troops, with the French providing between 700 and 900 as well as commanding officer General Jean-Paul Thonier, the ministry said.
France will also provide air support with Mirage fighters and an in-flight re-fuelling plane, the ministry said.
The United Nations Security Council gave the green light last Friday for a heavily armed French-led international force to protect refugees from tribal massacres around the northeastern town of Bunia.
A spokesman for the Irish Defence Forces told ireland.comthat as yet there had been no request from the UN for Irish soldiers to take part in the mission.
The UN must make a formal request to the Irish Government before troops could be deployed in such a role.
AFP