China confirms increasing peacekeepers in Lebanon

BEIJING, Sep 18 (Reuters) Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao confirmed today that his country would increase its peacekeeping presence in Lebanon to 1,000 troops, dramatically raising China's profile in the region.

French President Jacques Chirac last week revealed China's peacekeeping commitment after meeting Wen in Helsinki, but until now China had not specified the size of its contribution to U.N. efforts to maintain peace in Lebanon.

''China has decided to increase its peacekeeping force in Lebanon to 1,000,'' Wen told reporters at a joint news conference in Beijing with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

Around 200 Chinese engineers already work for the U.N. in Lebanon clearing mines and unexploded ordnance. The U.N. peacekeeping force is being expanded to uphold a shaky truce between Israel and Hizbollah guerrillas.

Reuters PB DB1109