africatodayonline.blogspot.com -
WARSAW, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- A Polish military contingent that will assist French forces in the International Support Mission in the Central African Leadership in the Central African Republic (CAR) left Warsaw for Orleans in France on Thursday, local media reported.
Lech Majewski, general commander of the Polish Armed Forces said Polish troops' participation in the "humanitarian and peace" mission "marks a new dimension in Polish-French relations."
The around-50-strong contingent comprises two four-person C-130 Hercules crews and ground personnel as well as one Hercules transporter plane.
From Orleans of France, they will make the about 5,000 km or 7-8 hours' flight to the CAR capital city of Bangui and the mission will last until the end of April.
The Polish troops' mission is to protect civilians in Bangui, including over 100 000 refugees who have taken refuge near the airport.
