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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| 49 Indians evacuated from Beirut; Indian peacekeeping soldier injured |
| 2006-07-18 |
| (KUNA) -- As many as forty-nine Indians were Monday evacuated from Beirut and an Indian soldier with the UN peacekeeping force was injured following tensions in Lebanon. There were no plans to move out the 600 Indian troops by India as the UN would have to take this decision, Indian Foreign Ministry officials told reporters Monday in Delhi. The Indians were taken in two buses to Damascus, the officials said. Nearly 12,000 Indians living in Lebanon have been advised to contact the Indian embassy in Beirut so that arrangements can be made to move them to safety, the officials added. Indian Cabinet Secretary B K Chaturvedi convened a meeting of senior officials Monday evening in Delhi to discuss contingency plans to ensure the safety of Indians living in Lebanon. The Indian soldier had minor injuries, the officials said. "The Indian soldiers are under the UN flag. Any decision on whether they stay, should be re-deployed or should be pulled out will be taken at the UN headquarters based on the assessment of the UN commander on the ground," the officials added. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #5 NEW DELHI: The Government has sent four naval ships to Lebanon for evacuating Indians from the country, where the Hizbollah militant groups are under Israeli attack. The ships will be in the vicinity of the Lebanon coast on Wednesday. In view of the naval blockade by Israel, the Government is in touch with Tel Aviv to ensure safe passage to Indian citizens in the event of the situation deteriorating further. Army sources said there was no move to evacuate the troops stationed in southern Lebanon on the border with Israel. which is the scene of hostilities between the Israeli Defence Forces and Hizbollah militant group. Part of the United Nations mission, the troops have been mandated to confirm and monitor the withdrawal of the Israeli forces after they withdrew from the area in the late eighties. The troops are currently taking shelter in bunkers and underground shelters, as is the case when clashes take place between the two sides. |
| Posted by: john 2006-07-18 19:42 |
| #4 The UN peacekeepers are like your spayed dog dry humping a gushing fire hydrant. |
| Posted by: pihkalbadger 2006-07-18 19:29 |
| #3 What have the ones that are there not doing, that more just won't do? Clearly putting more UN troops in the area will make Israel more reluctant to defend itself. That's the goal, innit? (Because it SURE as hell isn't stopping the terrorists.) |
| Posted by: Rob Crawford 2006-07-18 07:48 |
| #2 UN "buffer force" there are just *observers*. Basically, they count the number of shots, rockets,... and get an hefty pay at the end of the month, nothing else. They have no power whatsoever, and are not allowed to do anything at all excepting keeping track. |
| Posted by: anonymous5089 2006-07-18 02:22 |
| #1 Okay -- let me get this right. We got members of the Indian army, under UN, in Lebanon. There are UN flags next to Hezbollah flags at the Lebanon border, and the UN, Russia and Blair, want to send in more UN troops? What have the ones that are there not doing, that more just won't do? But, I do know a few Marines who would gladly take the job. Sorry, I know the answer. No response needed. |
| Posted by: Sherry 2006-07-18 00:20 |