Members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) observer team in Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur, Sudan left the country on Wednesday for deployment in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The team, which is the third group, will be part of the African Union (AU) observer forces currently serving in Sudan's arid western region.

A press statement from LDF Public Affairs Office, says the team comprise of Lieutenant Colonel Matela Matobakele, Major Motheolane Mafoea, Major Nkhetheleng Mohale, Captain Rethabile Nokana and Captain Tseko Nthakong.

It says the team will relief and replace the second LDF team, which is due home after serving in the region for a year.

The first LDF team was deployed in Darfur for a year running from July 2005 to 2006 July, when the second team was deployed.

Meanwhile the LDF Public Affairs office has also announced that another team made up of police and army officers will represent Lesotho at a launch of a regional standing army, the SADC-Brigade, in Lusaka, Zambia on August 17.

SOURCE: LENA 03/08/2007