Canada PM makes surprise visit in Mali

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a surprise visit to Canadian troops deployed as part of the United Nations peacekeeping operation in Mali, he said on Saturday.

"The men and women of the @CanadianForces make immense sacrifices to serve our country and keep us safe. Today I visited with them in Mali, bringing the thanks of Canadians for all their hard work. Thank you to everyone at Camp Castor for everything you do, and merry Christmas!" Trudeau tweeted.

The premier was accompanied by Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan and Chief of the Defense Staff, General Jonathan Vance, a statement from his office said. Trudeau also met with his Malian counterpart Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga, his office said.

Canadian peacekeepers arrived in northern Mali over the summer to support the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.

, also known as MINUSMA, with state-of-the-art medical evacuation capability, transportation and logistical support. Canada also sent three Chinook and five Griffon helicopters to Mali to provide around-the-clock medical evacuations - known as medevacs - to support the UN mission.

"We've been working really hard for a long time on this capability. It's new. It's the first time that Canada has ever flown doctors and nurses to the front lines, along with medical technicians," said Lieutenant Jennifer Loye, a critical care nurse from Vancouver now posted in Mali.

Shortly after arriving on base, Mr. Trudeau was suited up with a flak jacket and helmet to participate in a simulation medevac. He boarded a Chinook helicopter at Camp Castor and was flown into a demo site on the UN grounds, accompanied by a pair of armed Griffon helicopters. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Chief of the Defense Staff Gen. Jonathan Vance joined the prime minister for the exercise.

When the Chinook landed and dropped its ramp, Mr. Trudeau followed Canadian peacekeepers into the dusty desert demo site, where German troops were playing the part of two patients: one with a double leg amputation and the other with a serious cut to the head and arm. Mr. Trudeau followed closely as Canadian troops loaded the Germans onto stretchers, into the back of the Chinook and then flew back to the base.

---AFP, Montreal