More peacekeepers for Kosovo
The cabinet has approved an increase of the Swiss peacekeeper contingent in Kosovo to help dismantle a military camp in the south of the former Serbian province.
The defence ministry said the 220-member Swisscoy force can be extended by up to 40 staff for a period of four months.
Stationed in Kosovo since 1999, Swisscoy has run the Casablanca camp at Suva Reka jointly with Austrian troops.
The Swiss forces at Suva Reka, which are part of the international Kfor mission, will be stationed at other camps in Kosovo according to the defence ministry. Their mandate runs out in 2014.
Last August the cabinet decided to increase by 15 members the number of peacekeepers to take over a regional liaison unit in the north of Kosovo for a 12-month period in 2012.
Swisscoy forces are armed for self-defence but they do not participate in peace enforcement operations.
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