Czech Republic to deploy troops for EU mission in Mali

The Czech government will deploy up to 50 troops for an EU military training mission in Mali, Xinhua news agency reported.

"It is in the whole European Union's interest to stabilise this area because bases of various terrorist groups, including al-Qaida, could be built there," Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas said after a government meeting.

Czech soldiers will be training a mechanised infantry unit of the Mali military over a period of 15 months and will be stationed at Mali military bases outside the area of the current fighting.

The EU Foreign Affairs Council on January 17 decided to establish an EU training mission in Mali to support the training and reorganisation of the Malian Armed Forces.