BERLIN, Nov. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- Germany announced on Wednesday that it will cut the number of its combat troops in the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and extend their mandate for another year.

    A defense ministry spokesman said Germany's troops in the region will be cut to 2,800 from the present ceiling of 3,100, who fight as part of OEF missions.

    "This is not a sign of a lower engagement which would be a totally false sign," the spokesman added.

    He explained that the troop reduction was because Germany was temporarily recalling aging naval surveillance planes prior to the delivery of more modern replacements.

    The German soldiers have been involved in anti-terror patrols in Afghanistan, off the Horn of Africa, in the eastern Mediterranean and off Gibraltar.

    The current mandate of these troops expires on Nov. 15 and the German parliament is to approve its extension on Nov. 8.

    Germany also has 2,250 peacekeeping troops as part of the 12,000 NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops inside Afghanistan and plans to increase the number to 3,000. Enditem