Turkish troops land in Lebanon to join UNIFIL

BEIRUT, Oct 20: Around 100 Turkish soldiers arrived in Lebanon by sea on Friday, the first Turkish land forces to join U.N.

peacekeepers monitoring a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Two ships carrying the soldiers and around 50 vehicles docked at Beirut port, witnesses said. They would be joined later in the day by 160 Turkish soldiers who would be flown to Beirut's airport.

The force would then move to south Lebanon to join United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers patrolling the volatile area on Israel's border.

The UN force was authorised by the Security Council to enforce an Aug. 14 ceasefire ending a 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas.

The force is estimated at 7,200-strong though it can grow to as many as 15,000 troops. UNIFIL peacekeepers are working with more than 10,000 Lebanese soldiers.

Turkey sent a force of around 200 navy officers and soldiers earlier this month to join a UNIFIL naval force patrolling Lebanon's coast.

Reuters