2 March 2009 -- The remainder of the Egyptian infantry battalion, consisting of 93 peacekeepers, started arriving in El Fasher, North Darfur today. The second batch, also consisting of 93 peacekeepers, is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, bringing the battalion’s total number to 850. The additional peacekeepers will join the rest of the battalion that arrived last November and was then deployed in Umm Kadada, North Darfur.

The principal duties of the battalion include conducting confidence-building security patrols and escorts for humanitarian convoys.

UN Security Council Resolution 1769 (2007) authorized the deployment of up to 19,555 military personnel, including 360 military observers and liaison officers, and up to 3,772 police personnel and 19 formed police units comprising up to 140 personnel each. The arrival of the 186 Egyptian peacekeepers will bring the Egyptian contribution to the Mission to 1,588 and the UNAMID military strength to 12,937.

Egypt is currently contributing to the mission with an infantry battalion, a signal company, an engineering company and a transport company. Another Egyptian infantry battalion is expected to join the Mission soon.