First Spanish troops arrive in Lebanon as problems loom

[tocqueville]

by Beatriz Lecumberri
4 minutes ago

TYRE, Lebanon (AFP) - A first contingent of Spanish troops began arriving to help the Lebanese army police a month-old truce between Israel and Hezbollah, as the head of the UN peackeeping force criticized the Lebanese government for not doing enough to facilitate his mission.


The advance party of 570 marines and soldiers began disembarking Friday just before 11:30 am (0830 GMT) at a beach in the southern Lebanese port of Tyre.

A Spanish officer said the landing should take several hours. Once it is complete, the troops will move to the eastern sector of the border area with Israel to a temporary camp between Marjayun, which will be their headquarters, and Taybeh.

Spain will eventually provide 1,100 troops, the third-largest EU contingent behind Italy and France. It will take charge of a brigade including troops from Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Poland and Portugal.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060915/wl_mideast_afp/mideastconflictlebanon

[Laughing Mirror]

1. They need troops on the Israeli side to protect Lebanon from Israel

Why haven't they?