THE Pentagon has announced that it is to send small Army teams to 35-plus African countries in 2013.

U.S. to send military missions to more than 35 African countries in 2013Initially, the objectives of the U.S. military teams will be confined to training and equipping national armies. They could participate in military operations, although this would require a special order from the Defense Department, according to General David Rodríguez, Commander in Chief of the U.S. Army.

The Second Combat Brigade mission is to begin in the spring of 2013 and will engage in approximately 100 exercises throughout the African continent, first in Libya, Sudan, Niger, Kenya and Uganda, where the Pentagon reports the largest presence of armed groups linked to Al Qaeda.

However, the U.S. plans could be rejected by many countries of the region for fear of the extension of U.S. military bases and Washington's increased influence, AP comments.

Moreover, the Infowars.com website notes that Africa's natural resources are another important interest, given that these include oil, diamonds, copper, gold, iron ore, cobalt, uranium, silver, timber and tropical fruit.

On December 21, the U.S. government welcomed the UN Security Council resolution promoted by France, authorizing the dispatch of an African military mission to Mali, currently affected by heavy fighting led by Islamist groups. (Taken from RT News)