Germany Extends Afghanistan, Lebanon Missions
Germany has extended the deployment of its armed forces in Afghanistan and Lebanon, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday.
"In a regular cabinet meeting, we decided to get the process of extending the mandate underway," Merkel told reporters.
Foreign Minister and Vice-Chancellor Guido Westerwelle said: "With this, we want to send a clear signal. The new federal government is sticking by Germany”s international responsibilities."
"Our partners should know that our country remains a reliable partner for peace and security in the world," he added.
4,200 German soldiers are in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) – representing the third largest contingent. The cabinet ministers have approved an extension of this mission for another year until December 2010, but the number of troops will not exceed the present limit of 4,500.
The German navy”s participation in UNIFIL to prevent weapons smuggling off the coast of Lebanon was extended by six months.