SANTIAGO - A multinational peaceful military exercise was launched in Chile on Monday to enhance the participating forces' capability to handle peacetime missions.

A total of 600 soldiers from Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, the United States, Mexico, Uruguay and Chile are involved in the joint exercise code-named "Huemul" that lasts till July 15.

The drill is aimed at better preparing the forces for such tasks as humanitarian aid, peacekeeping and disaster relief, Chilean Defense Minister Andres Allamand said during the launching ceremony.