BUENOS AIRES, May 10 (UPI) -- Argentine President Nestor Kirchner said Monday he wants to send 500 troops to Haiti to aide in that nation's stabilization effort.
The order however must still be approved by the Argentine Congress before the troops can be deployed.
A U.N. force totaling more than 8,000 soldiers, police officers, and humanitarian officials are scheduled to take over June 1 for the U.S.-Marine led peacekeeping mission currently in Haiti.
Argentine troops would join the U.N. mission, which will be led by Brazilian forces.
Also Monday, Chilean President Ricardo Lagos asked his nation's Congress to approve sending a fresh contingent of troops to Haiti to work with the U.N. forces.
Chile forces are already on the ground in Haiti working alongside U.S., Canadian and French troops.
