On Tuesday, parliament authorized Lithuanian military units, comprised of soldiers and army-accredited civilians, to take part in the NATO-led international operation in Afghanistan. Up to 200 soldiers and civil servants of the national defense system could be sent to Afghanistan.
Under the existing Seimas mandate, which is in force until the end of 2013, 290 Lithuanian soldiers could be sent to Afghanistan. Currently, around 240 soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan.
Moreover, a mandate was given to send no more than 5 soldiers and civilians to the NATO-led international operation in Kosovo.
Up to 30 troops and civilians could be sent to the European Union's anti-piracy Operation Atalanta, and the same number of people could be sent to Operation Ocean Shield, NATO's contribution to the anti-piracy campaign off the coast of the Horn of Africa.
Lithuania plans to send its troops to Operation Atalanta in the second half of this year.
The new mandate will be in force until December 31, 2015.
