DU SCOOP : France sends up to 2000 men to Lebanon

[tocqueville]

and keeps probably command of UNIFIL with simplified command chain (no diplomats to report to, only UN military).

update

1 600 men will reinforce the actual 400 and 1 700 (not UN) will stay on ships ouside the coast to provide logistics and as a rapid reaction force. Total presence : 3 700. I don't think that the Navy personal is included (6 warships).

[Name removed]

1. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[uppityperson]

2. good for France, thank you France

[RufusEarl]

3. If this helps to keep the cease fire in place,

then good for France. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired, and i ain't gonna study war no more.

[mwooldri]

4. So how many are Italy sending now?

Lsat I heard on Auntie Beeb was that Italy wants to take a lead in the peacekeeping role but was cajoling other EU states to send more troops.

So if France wants to take the lead again will Italy be helping?

Mark.

[cal04]

5. France boosts Lebanon peace force

President Jacques Chirac has pledged an additional 1,600 French troops to the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

He announced the despatch of a further two battalions in a televised address in which he also said France was willing to continue leading the force.

(snip)

Mr Chirac said: "Two extra battalions will deployed on the ground to extend our numbers within Unifil.

"Two thousand French troops will therefore be placed under the control of the United Nations in Lebanon.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5283660.stm

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/24/world/middleeast/24cnd-force.html?hp&ex=1156478400&en=46313588d9065f6f&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[IndianaGreen]

6. AFP: Chirac announces 1,600 more French troops for UN force in Lebanon

Chirac announces 1,600 more French troops for UN force in Lebanon
24/08/2006 18h59

PARIS (AFP) - President Jacques Chirac announced he was ordering 1,600 more French troops to join the UN force in Lebanon, bringing the total French contingent there to 2,000 soldiers.

"I have decided to send two extra battalions," Chirac said in a televised address after holding a meeting his Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and his foreign and defence ministers and military chiefs.

<snip>

UNIFIL -- which was originally set up 28 years ago as a toothless observer force on the Israeli border in southern Lebanon -- has been authorised to expand from its 2,000-strong force to up to 15,000 soldiers under UN Resolution 1701 passed August 11.

Its new mandate will allow its members to use weapons in self-defence, to protect civilians and to prevent hostile activity in the border area.

Its primary missions are to assist the Lebanese army take control of southern Lebanon from Hezbollah, and to provide humanitarian relief for the one million Lebanese civilians displaced by Israel's offensive.

http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/060824185201.be9xecfc.html

[Vidar]

7. Vive la France. Thanks for posting, tocqueville. The mods will want a

link for this story.

[tocqueville]

8. too late to edit, but the story is out worldwide n/t