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Wednesday, July 25, 2007

UAE would be first Arab state to send combat troops to Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — Troops from the United Arab Emirates have been preparing to join the NATO-led combat force in Afghanistan.

Diplomatic sources said the UAE has agreed to send a troop contingency that would conduct counter-insurgency missions in Afghanistan. The sources, confirming a report by the Toronto Star, said the UAE would send around 100 troops as part of the Canadian contingent. The UAE has not issued any announcement.

This would mark the first time an Arab state joined the NATO mission against Al Qaida and Taliban in Afghanistan. The UAE was one of three nations that recognized the Taliban-led Afghan government until the U.S.-led invasion in late 2001, Middle East Newsline reported.

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The sources said Canada has been urging the UAE to contribute soldiers and equipment to help stabilize war-torn Afghanistan. They said Abu Dhabi has been preparing to expand its role in international peace-keeping missions.

The Star said the UAE has been discussing a small force for Afghanistan. The force could consist of four French-origin Leclerc main battle tanks, as well as armored reconnaissance vehicles, two self-propelled 155 mm artillery and a detachment of unmanned aerial vehicles.

"The UAE is capable of bringing considerable financial support to development projects and would provide a Muslim face to the International Security Assistance Force operations, providing a counterpoint to insurgent rhetoric," the Star quoted a Canadian military report as saying.

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