The information was put forward by the ruler during a regimental hearing in the parliamentary commission for national defence, the last one this year.

Still on the subject of international missions, Socialist MP Diogo Leão questioned João Gomes Cravinho on the announced readiness of the Portuguese Armed Forces to provide support to Mozambique in the fight against terrorism in the Cabo Delgado region.

"During my visit last week [to Mozambique], I had a dialogue with my counterpart and it was possible to outline Portugal's support for the Mozambican authorities, always with the need to respect the sovereignty of Mozambique, which ceased to be a colony 45 years ago," said the leader.

For Gomes Cravinho, it was a question of "supporting a sister country", in a "non-executive mission, by helping to train and build the capacity of the Mozambican Air Forces to fight terrorism in Cabo Delgado".

"It is a complex challenge. Terrorism is an international scourge, a threat to the stability and security of the entire international community and Portugal has every interest in committing itself to helping the Mozambican authorities, with all solidarity and fraternity", he concluded.