Egypt dispatches engineers to Darfur

KHARTOUM, Sudan, July 24 (UPI) -- Egypt dispatched 126 engineers Thursday to offer logistical support to the U.N.-African Union Mission in Darfur, mission officials said.

The engineers arrived at El Fasher airport in North Darfur. They included servicemen capable of supporting demining, water desalination and general construction duties, UNAMID said in a statement.

The Egyptian engineers will provide UNAMID with a "self-sustaining" unit that can operate under the harsh African conditions.

The road construction element of the engineering company can construct more than 2 miles of road per week, the statement said.

The crew joins 83 service personnel already dispatched in support of UNAMID activities there, bringing staff to a total of more than 330 people.

Speaking to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in Darfur, UNAMID chief Rodolphe Adada called on the government to ensure supplies reach Darfur safely.

Adada also said UNAMID suspended the relocation of non-essential U.N. staffers from Darfur.