PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) – Years after Haiti’s army was disbanded following a military coup, the current administration is planning to start recruiting for a new army.

According to Defence Minister Herve Denis, the government now expects to recruit approximately 500 soldiers.

In an interview with Reuters News Agency, Denis said the duties of the recruits will include rebuilding after national disasters as well as monitoring borders.

He said due to budget constraints only 500 will be recruited but a cote on the budget will eventually determine if that number can be increased.

He told the news agency that a vote is expected in the coming months.

Haiti’s army was disbanded in 1995 by former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide following the military coup.

However in recent months, there have been calls for the establishment of an army as the United Nations mission in the country is scheduled to depart in October.

The UN mission in Haiti has been in place following a second coup against Aristide that took place in 2004.