The United States will help transport African Union forces to support an international mission in Central African Republic, the Pentagon said Monday, dpa reported.
Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel made the pledge in a phone call from Kabul with French Defence Minister Yves Le Drian, who requested "limited assistance" from the US to support the French-African Union mission, spokesman Carl Woog said.
US Africa Command will transport forces from Burundi to the Central African Republic, in coordination with France.
"The United States is joining the international community in this effort because of our belief that immediate action is required to avert a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe in the Central African Republic, and because of our interest in peace and security in the region," Woog said.