Germany approves peacekeeping troops to Sudan

Mar 22, 2006 (BERLIN) — The German government on Wednesday approved the extension of the involvement of German troops in the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Sudan, a spokesman said.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Cabinet approved the extension of the German involvement for six months, spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said. Parliament must also approve the step.

Germany has 28 soldiers supporting the mission, whose U.N. mandate runs out March 24. The U.N. Security Council is working on a resolution to extend it, Wilhelm said.

The mission to help enforce a peace deal between the government and rebels in southern Sudan. It is separate from the African Union mission to restore peace in a separate conflict in Sudan’s western Darfur province.

(ST/AP)