Lebanon accepts 2,000 Italian troops for UN force

BEIRUT, Aug 21 (Reuters) Lebanon accepted today an Italian offer to send 2,000 troops to Lebanon, the most substantial commitment yet to a U N peacekeeping force to uphold a truce between Israel and Hizbollah, officials said.

The Lebanese government decided to accept the offer and promised to facilitate the mission of troops joining the UNIFIL force in southern Lebanon in line with U N Security Council resolution 1701 to end the fighting.

Israel has already told Italy it would be happy to see the Italians in charge of the force, although Rome has not formally offered to lead it. Italy said today it was ready to do so if its European partners commit themselves to the operation.

The United Nations has vowed to move 3,500 extra troops to the south by September 2, but has received few firm offers of help to build the force to its authorised strength of 15,000 from an existing 2,000.

The Italian government has approved sending up to 3,000 troops, making it the biggest contributor so far to the expanded force. In contrast, France has scaled down its commitment to 200 troops for now due to worries about the chain of command.

Turkey may be a major contributor but like Italy, Spain and others it awaits clear rules of engagement by the United Nations.

REUTERS MS RN2351