EU wants more UN troops in Lebanon soon
Berlin, Aug 24: European Union president Finland said today it hopes to see the first reinforcements arrive in Lebanon to boost the United Nations peacekeeping force within a week and the main deployment should take a few more weeks.
''We would like to see the first reinforcements arrive within a week if possible,'' Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja said after meeting his German counterpart.
He hoped to have specific commitments for the force from EU states tomorrow when foreign ministers from the 25-member bloc meet.
''The main thrust of the force should be there within a few weeks,'' said Tuomioja, adding that the full deployment could take months.
EU states agreed on Wednesday to provide a major contingent for an expanded UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon.
Italy
has
pledged
3,000
troops
but
so
far
other
offers
have
been
meagre.
Many
countries
are
worried
they
will
get
involved
in
a
conflict
without
an
adequate
mandate
to
defend
themselves.
Reuters