Belgian frigate Leopold I to escort French aircraft carrier to Gulf region: PM
Xinhua, November 12, 2015 Adjust font size:
Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel has confirmed that the Belgian frigate Leopold I will escort the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle on a deployment to the Gulf region in an exercise against the Islamic State (IS).
The Belgian naval vessel, with 175 crew, has just finished a mission in the eastern Mediterranean as part of Operation Sophia, a coordinated European operation against people-smuggling, Le Soir newspaper reported on Wednesday.
According to the newspaper, Michel said ministers "have decided to accept the request sent to us by France" and said the new mission "shows our credibility."
He made the announcement on a visit to the frigate itself, where a brief Armistice commemoration ceremony was held on Wednesday, also attended by the Belgian Defense Minister Steven Vandeput.
The mission in the Gulf region will begin on Nov. 18 and finish on Jan. 2, with the Leopold I due to return to Belgium some three weeks later, Michel added.
During its time in the Mediterranean, the Leopold I was responsible for rescuing 258 migrants at sea, leading to three arrests for smuggling, Belgian broadcaster VRT reported. Endit