MADRID
Spain will contribute a cargo plane and trainer troops to the France-led fighting to root out rebel groups in Mali's north, Spanish defense minister said Friday.
Speaking after a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, Pedro Morenes said Spain will send a Hercules C-130 cargo plane to airlift up to 3,300 troops being sent by member countries of the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) in support of the French intervention and around 50 military instructors to train Malian troops.
"Spain will not be a part of the war. Our top priority is the safety and security of our nationals in the region. Spain is doing what it is required to do. We need to live up to our alliances because the region is close to Spain and our national interests are point in that direction," Morenes said.
Morenes said Spain will appoint a special envoy over the situation in Mali, adding that his country will assume a leading role in organizing international meetings on the issue.
