Peru's Defense Minister Pedro Cateriano presided on Monday over a ceremony at the Peruvian Army' s headquarters in Lima, marking the deployment to Haiti of the country's 20th military contingent, dubbed "Peru Company."

The contingent will join other peacekeeping troops in the Caribbean island country as part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah).

One of the company's main responsibilities over the next six months of their deployment will be to safeguard 80 percent of Haiti's border with Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.

The Peruvian troops, to be stationed at the military bases of Malpasse and Ane-a-Pitre, will also provide security for supply convoys and camps for Haitians displaced by the 2010 earthquake, support upcoming elections and joint operations with Haitian and UN police, and help promote a safe and stable environment in the troubled country.

The military contingent includes 216 members of the Peruvian Army, Navy and Air Force, commanded by Naval Commander Juan Tejada.

The ceremony was attended by Gen. Leonel Cabrera, head of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces, and the general commanders of the army, navy and air force, as well as other military and civilian authorities.