Turkish president opposes sending troops to Lebanon

ANKARA, Aug 25 (Reuters) Turkey's president was quoted today as saying he opposed sending Turkish troops to Lebanon as part of a UN peacekeeping force, highlighting divisions in the large Muslim country over the issue.

''Sending soldiers is not our responsibility. I'm against it,'' private CNN Turk television quoted President Ahmet Necdet Sezer as saying.

''We are not in a position to be solving the security problems of other countries.'' The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which is keen to boost Turkey's role in the Middle East, is known to favour sending troops but has not made a final decision. It is awaiting more details on the force's rules of engagement.

The Anatolian state news agency said Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan told his Lebanese counterpart in a telephone conversation today: ''We are still deciding. Don't worry, we are together with you.'' Sezer, who has a largely ceremonial role and cannot veto any decision to send troops, is often at odds with the AKP, which has roots in political Islam. Sezer is a staunch secularist.

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has also come out against sending Turkish peacekeepers to Lebanon.

Some AKP lawmakers are worried that Turkish troops may be asked to help disarm Hizbollah guerrillas in southern Lebanon and could get dragged into the conflict with Israel.

After meeting EU foreign ministers in Brussels today, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Europe would provide the backbone of the 15,000-strong force for Lebanon and he had asked France to lead it.

NATO member Turkey has good ties with Israel and the Arab states. The United States, Israel and Lebanon have urged Turkey to take part in the peacekeeping force.

REUTERS MS BST0018