HUNDREDS of soldiers from France, Spain and Italy arrived in Albania by sea and air yesterday in the first major deployment of an Italian-led force to safeguard aid to the impoverished country.
First ashore were 400 French troops who drove off the Orage naval ship which docked at dawn in Albania's main port of Durres. They were followed by 260 Italians and 280 Spanish soldiers. A further 150 Italian arrived on six military aircraft which landed at Tirana's international report.
The force is being deployed to secure the port and main roads to allow for trouble-free deliveries of aid. A first UN delivery of 400 tonnes of flour and beans also arrived yesterday.
Albania has been lawless in many regions for over a month after an armed insurrection in the south was followed by copycat looting of army depots elsewhere. Only parts of the country remain under government control.
The French troops will secure Durres and the main road between the port and Tirana, 30 km to the east. A French army spokesman, Maj Herve. Gourmelon, said the soldiers had received a warm welcome. "France is not a well-known country to the Albanians... but we have had excellent co-operation at all levels."
The other forces are to fan out to other towns in the coming days. Italian and Greek soldiers will head south, while the Spanish will go to Shkoder, the main northern town. A spokesman for the Italians, Col Gianfranco Scalas, said he did not expect any problems.