(STOCKHOLM) - Sweden is to extend its troop committment to the European Union's mission in Chad (EUFOR), a defence ministry official said Wednesday.

"The government is in favour of an extension (...) and Defence Minister Sven Tolgfors said it is possible that we could extend the mandate to the end of August," he told AFP.

A contingent of more than 200 soldiers was to leave Chad at the end of May, but a motion will go before parliament in the next few weeks and is expected to pass with ease given the governing centre-right coalition's majority.

The initial cost to Sweden is estimated at 300 million kronor (32 million euros or 49 million dollars).

The defence official said an extension would add 46 million kronor to the bill.

Swedish duties under EUFOR command include securing the airport in Chad's capital Ndjamena and protecting Sudanese refugees who fled strife-torn Darfur.

The 14-nation EUFOR mission of 3,700 troops began deploying to Chad and the Central African Republic last month after a delay caused by a rebel assault on the Chadian capital.

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