OUAGADOUGOU, April 9 (Saba) -- A military exercise will be staged in the sub-Shaharan region on May 2-23, bringing together six armies from Africa and military personnel from Europe and the United States, Chinese News Agency (Xinhua) reported on Friday.

The U. S. Embassy in Burkina Faso said in a statement released to local press on Friday that the operation code named "Flintlock 10" will involve armies from Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Nigeria and Chad in Africa.

A total of 1,200 military personnel will join the military exercise, including 600 Americans, 400 Africans and 150 Europeans. The planned exercise will be based in the capital city Ouagadougou, while the ground military training will take place in Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria and Senegal.

A multinational coordination center will be set up in the Burkinabe capital to serve as a "focal point" for dissemination of information as well as for the planning of synchronized operations.

The representatives of the participating countries will undergo an academic training which will culminate in a practical exercise for the position of a commander. The exercise will be placed under the U. S. Africa command and the command for special operations in Africa.

The military exercise is to improve the capacity of participants to work together to end the illegal activities threatening stability and security in the sub-region, especially terrorism.

The statement also said medical and veterinary action programs will be involved to benefit rural communities during the exercise.

Saba