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Muslims 'must add to UN force'
29/08/2006 07:29 - (SA)
Beirut - Muslim countries should match the contribution of European nations and pledge 7 000 troops to a UN peacekeeping force for southern Lebanon, the head of the world's largest Muslim body said on Monday.
"The Muslim countries should make up to the European ones,"
Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary-general of the Organisation of
the Islamic Conference (OIC), told Reuters.
"The Europeans now have pledged 7 000 so I think the OIC
countries should make the same, and that will answer the need of
Lebanon because, as I understand, the need is about 15 000," the
Egyptian-born Turk said.
"The rules of engagement are clear," he said.
At least 13 000 troops needed
"The task of UNIFIL troops was clarified by statements made
by the government of Lebanon and the United Nations," he added,
referring to the existing UN force in Lebanon.
"Now I think member countries will be ready to send troops."
The United Nations is seeking to raise 13 000 troops to join
2 000 peacekeepers monitoring a two-week-old truce between
Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
EU foreign ministers last week pledged up to 7 000 troops
for the so-called UNIFIL II force. Long before the 34-day war
had ended, the OIC said it would seek to bolster a "Blue Helmet"
force in Lebanon.
Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia
Turkey, a Nato member and mainly Muslim country, said on
Monday it had agreed in principle to join the force.
Indonesia and Malaysia have each offered 1 000 troops,
Brunei has said it is ready to take part and Pakistan is
considering a Lebanese request.
Diplomatic ties with Israel
But Israel has said it might oppose the inclusion of nations
that do not have diplomatic ties with it. That would include Indonesia and Malaysia. Pakistan says it would recognise Israel only after the Palestinians reach a settlement with Israel.
Ihsanoglu, in Beirut to discuss the deployment of aid and
troops, said Israeli objections should not pose any problem for
Muslim participation because the troops would be based in
Lebanon, not Israel.
"I think the mandate of the resolution is clear. The
precedents of sending troops are many. As long as these troops
will be on Lebanese soil under the sovereignty of the Lebanese
state, I think the issue is not that complicated."
International aid conference
The OIC will take part in an international aid conference
for Lebanon in Stockholm on Friday.
"Some OIC countries have been very generous and I'm sure all
other countries will do their best because the need is very big
here," Ihsanoglu said.
"Our financial institution, the Islamic Development Bank
would be also participating so we think there would be quite a
sizeable contribution there."
- Reuters
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