Dutch to send ships to Lebanon for UN mission

AMSTERDAM, Sep 22 (Reuters) The Netherlands said today it would send a frigate and a supply ship to join a UN mission to block arms smuggling into Lebanon.

They will join a German-led fleet expected to patrol Lebanese waters to enforce a UN arms embargo intended to choke off military supplies to Hizbollah guerrillas.

It is not clear when the ships will leave for Lebanon. The mission needs approval by the Dutch parliament.

Israeli forces have been gradually pulling out from territory they captured in southern Lebanon during a month-long war with Hizbollah that ended on August. 14. As Israeli troops withdraw, thousands of UN peacekeepers have moved in.

The Netherlands has refused to send peacekeeping troops to Lebanon, saying it has its hands full in southern Afghanistan, where its forces are have met fiercer-than-expected Taliban resistance.

REUTERS DKA PM1952