Pakistani troops to help Lebanon clear mines

ISLAMABAD, Sep 9 (Reuters) Pakistan is to send troops to Lebanon to help clear mines and unexploded ordnance left over from recent Israeli bombing, the government said today.

Pakistan has in the past contributed to several UN peacekeeping operations around the world but has not reached a decision on sending peacekeepers to Lebanon.

But Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said after visiting the country and seeing the devastation caused by Israeli bombing, and after appeals for help from Lebanon, Pakistan would send troops to clear mines, cluster bombs and booby traps.

''The government has decided to send a contingent of Pakistan army personnel for the exclusive purpose of de-mining,'' Aziz said in a statement.

A government spokeswoman said the size of the contingent would be decided in a day or two.

REUTERS PDM PM1944