Germany Renews Anti-Terror Deployment

The Bundestag on Friday voted to extend the deployment of about 500 maritime soldiers stationed in the Mediterranean and off the Horn of Africa in order to continue the fight against terrorism.

Saying the measure is essential to German security, the German parliament overwhelmingly approved to continue supporting US-led anti-terrorism operations for one more year.

''This mission has a significant meaning for the security of Germany and other countries who are threatened by terrorism,'' said German Defense Minister Peter Struck during the parliament deliberations in the lower house, the Bundestag. He added that continued participation is part of Germany's responsibility as a member of the United Nations.

The measure allows for 3,100 German soldiers but only 500 are currently deployed - 300 in the port of Djibouti off the Horn of Africa and 200 in the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean. The deployment was set to expire Nov. 15.

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