Greece to contribute two military transport planes for Darfur

ATHENS, June 22 (AFP) — Greece will contribute two C-130 military transport planes under NATO auspices to airlift African Union troops and equipment to the ravaged Sudan region of Darfur, the Greek defence ministry said on Wednesday.

The contribution is a response to an African Union request for logistical support in May, the ministry said.

Earlier this month, NATO agreed to airlift some 5,000 African peacekeepers to the region.

The Darfur conflict began in February 2003 pitting Khartoum and Arab Janjaweed militias against a largely black rebel movement, leaving 2.4 million people homeless and killing between 180,000 and 300,000, mostly ethnic African civilians.

Greek aircraft will participate in the airlift from July 1 to September 30, the ministry said.