HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY FRED ECKHARD
SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK
As of today, more than 4,500 troops
are present on the ground in Sierra Leone.
Out of the six battalions scheduled to form the military component of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), five battalions have been inducted into the mission area. Two are from Nigeria, one from Kenya, one from Ghana and one from India. India is also providing administration, medical, transportation and engineering teams as well as an aviation refueling unit.
The remaining battalion, from Guinea, is scheduled to arrive to Freetown shortly.
In addition to the troops, 215 unarmed Military Observers monitor the cease-fire and report on violations.