AddiS Ababa, Apr.01(ENA)--The African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission says it has finalized preparations for deployment in Burundi to oversee the implementation of the cease-fire in that country.

The peacekeeping forces, which comprise nearly 3,500 military contingents and other civilian personnel, are drawn from Ethiopia, South Africa and Mozambique.

Mission co-ordinator, Mosivoa Lekota told journalists here on Tuesday that the peacekeeping forces would stay in the mission area for six or 12 months.

Lekota, who is also South African Defense Minister, said three consecutive meetings have been held in Pretoria, Bujumbura and Addis Ababa to settle preconditions to launch the operation.

The technical team set up in last Bujumbura meeting has studied the situations in the mission areas as a whole, and produced a report that enables the three countries to conclude the missing requirements for the deployment, Lekota said.

He said, " We therefore now handed over the AU mission here in Addis Ababa the requirements which must be included in the final mandate."

The African Union organ, which would convene on Wednesday, is expected to endorse the report and finalize the mandate.

Ethiopian Defense Minister, Abadula Gemeda said on the occasion that Ethiopia has taken the necessary preparations for the deployment over the last three months.

He said the country would contribute up to 1000 efficient military forces and civilian personnel to the peacekeeping mission to Burundi.

Ethiopia would remain committed to help ensure peace and stability in the region, Abadula noted.

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