Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:19p.m.
The Belgian government says it plans to cut its defence force to 34,000 from 42,000 last year as part of budgetary belt-tightening but the move should not affect the country's international commitment.
Defence Minister Pieter De Crem said Tuesday that the 20 percent reduction was necessary because the budget is excessively burdened by personnel costs while equipment and other sectors need to be upgraded.
He says the country's participation in international operations like Afghanistan, Kosovo and Lebanon will be not be downgraded. The defence ministry plans to cut €100 million next year from its budget of €2.7 billion.
AP