Germany agrees to cut troops in Lebanon mission

BERLIN, Aug 22 (Reuters) The German government decided today to extend for another year its mandate to participate in the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon but substantially cut the maximum number of soldiers earmarked for the mission.

The maximum number of German soldiers to take part in the Lebanon mission has been cut to 1,400 from 2,400, government spokesman Thomas Steg told a news conference.

One reason for the reduction is that they do not need that many troops to monitor the Lebanese coast to prevent arms smuggling, he said.

''The mission has been very successful,'' Steg said. ''Weapons smuggling (along the coast) has become virtually impossible.'' Another reason for the reduction of the upper limit is the fact that the German troops have been training Lebanese forces to handle coastal monitoring on their own, he said.

Germany's parliament is expected to approve the cabinet decision next month.

Berlin approved the original mandate last year after the United Nations decided to send troops to the Middle East to monitor the cease-fire after a 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas in July and August 2006.

Germany's contribution to the UN peacekeeping force, which was set at a maximum of some 15,000 troops, has been in the form of a flotilla of naval frigates, supply ships and patrol boats deployed to montior the Lebanese coast and halt the flow of arms to Hezbollah militants.

Germany is expected to continue to lead the UN naval force in Lebanon until February 2008, when Berlin hopes another country will take over. Other states involved in the naval force are Greece, Denmark, Netherlands and Turkey.

REUTERS AK KN1828