Dutch forces have for several years been training African soldiers in their fight against al-Qaeda militants, Dutch daily AD reports.

The Dutch operation is part of a secret United States mission in Mali, Senegal and Chad.

The defence and foreign ministries see no problem in the operation. The departments argue the operation is part of a military execercise and therefore needs no authorisation from parliament.

The Socialist Party and the Christian Union have voiced dismay.

The SP maintains the operation amounts to “more than a standard exercise” because it is taking place in a war zone.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide