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Two Jordanian parachute companies comprising some 240 men supported by a 31-strong medical unit are expected to arrive at Sierra Leone’s Lungi International Airport in the next two days, Fred Eckhard, spokesman of the UN Secretary-General said on Thursday.
The remainder of the Jordanian contingent is expected to be deployed by the end of May, he said.
A second Indian battalion is now ready for deployment on Monday. India has also offered one mechanised unit, one special forces unit and an attack helicopter unit. A Bangladeshi battalion is also expected to be deployed next week. The airlifts are being arranged with the assistance of Canada, The Netherlands, Russia and the United States. Supplies are also on their way as part of efforts to reinforce the mission, the UN reported.
The new deployments “will put us in a better position to adopt the most robust elements of our mission as authorised”, Eckhard told journalists.
The UN force is mandated to defend itself, the people and the government of Sierra Leone, he said.
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