Armenia to send forces to Afghanistan this year

YEREVAN, Armenia - Armenia's defence minister says the former Soviet republic will send forces to Afghanistan by the end of the year.

Seyran Oganian said Tuesday that Armenia is discussing details of the deployment with Germany.

He did not say how many servicemen would be sent to contribute to NATO and U.S. operations.

Officials have said Armenia would likely send munitions experts and communications officers.

Armenia had nearly 50 military personnel in Iraq but withdrew its contingent earlier this year.

Oganian says some Armenians who fought in the Soviet Union's unsuccessful 1980s war in Afghanistan want to return as part of the new force.

Photos

A Hungarian ISAF solder directs a landing German helicopter transporting new troops to the military base in Pul-e-Khumri, Baghlan province of Afghanistan, Monday, July 13, 2009. (AP / Bela Szandelszky)