ME: France sending more troops
24/08/2006 23:39  - (SA)  

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Syria against UN force on border Annan plans key Mideast trip Lebanon's recovery 'annihilated' Italy set to lead Lebanon force UN fears more Mideast bloodshed ME: UN force needs a year

Paris - President Jacques Chirac on Thursday announced that he was ordering 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 meeting with his Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and his foreign and defence ministers and military chiefs.

Each battalion counts 800 soldiers.

France had initially offered only to double its force in Lebanon to 400.

This disappointed many UN diplomats who'd expected Paris to provide the backbone of the mission tasked with safeguarding a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Following France's initial low key offer, Italy had stepped up to the plate, promising up to 3 000 troops and offering to take command of the delicate operation.

- AFP

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