Brazil looks to double Haiti peacekeepers to 2,600

Source: FOCUS Information Agency

Brazil is looking to send hundreds more soldiers to its UN peacekeeping deployment in Haiti, potentially doubling the unit to 2,600 men, the defense ministry said in a statement, AFP reported.


If Congress approves the ministry's request, Brazil could immediately send 900 personnel -- 750 soldiers and 150 police -- to boost the 1,260 Brazilian peacekeepers already in the country, as urged by the United Nations.

A reserve of another 400 troops could then be kept on standby in case the situation warrants also sending them to the quake-ravaged Caribbean country.

"The priority is to send soldiers who have already served in Haiti and who, therefore, have the necessary experience for the mission," the statement said.

The UN Security Council on Tuesday voted to send 3,500 more security personnel to Haiti to maintain order and protect aid convoys.

Brazil has military command of the UN peacekeeping force in Haiti, which is currently 9,000-strong and has been in the Caribbean nation since 2004.

The force currently counts 7,000 soldiers from various nations and 2,000 police.

Eighteen Brazilian peacekeepers died in the quake.