Manila - The Philippines will dispatch 320 soldiers to be part of the United Nations' peacekeeping missions in the strife-torn countries of Haiti and Liberia next month, the country's military chief said Wednesday.

Armed forces chief of staff General Alexander Yano said the contingent was part of the Philippines' "continuing commitment to comply with peacekeeping activities in countries other than our own."

"Our country has been a member of the United Nations since 1945 and since then we have always complied with the provisions of the United Nations charter, one of which is in the area of participation and promotion of international peace and stability," he said.

Yano said the Philippine contingent to Liberia will be composed of 165 soldiers and was scheduled to leave on February 1. The contingent to Haiti, composed of 155 soldiers, was set to leave on February 18.

Yano met with the 320 soldiers in send-off ceremonies at Camp Aguinaldo, the Philippine armed forces' main headquarters, in the Manila suburban city of Quezon. (dpa)