30 March 2009 -- The advance party of the 2nd Egyptian Infantry Battalion, consisting of 100 personnel, arrived in Nyala today to join UNAMID. Another 100 personnel are expected to arrive tomorrow. The advance party consists mainly of engineering personnel with light capability to prepare the location for the arrival of the main body of the Battalion

The main body is scheduled to arrive within four months, bringing the battalion’s expected total to 850 peacekeepers. They will be deployed in Ed El Fursan and Tulus in South Darfur.

Egypt’s contribution to the Mission already includes one infantry battalion, one engineering unit, one signal company and one heavy transport company. This brings the total number of Egyptians serving with UNAMID, including the new arrivals, to 1,771