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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Germans argue over Lebanon role
2006-08-17
Germany is waiting to hear precisely what the mandate of the UN force for Lebanon will be before it decides what role to play in it. Party leaders in the ruling coalition said on Wednesday they had agreed in principle on contributing to the planned international force. But sensitivities about Germany's past make some politicians uneasy about the idea of German troops facing Israelis.
Disarm Hixbollah and the Israelis will stay on their side of the border
Germany may help in humanitarian work and securing the Lebanon-Syria border. "Many questions are still open," said government spokesman Thomas Steg. "Germany is prepared to make a contribution if there is a clear definition. It depends on certain factors and these factors are still unclear," he said.

Any cabinet decision to send troops would still have to be approved by parliament. Coalition officials said they were considering providing naval patrols or police to help secure the Lebanon-Syria border.
Keeping arms from reaching the Hizzies would be a help
Germany has sent 7,700 soldiers overseas already to serve with international forces in Afghanistan, the Balkans and DR Congo.

Edmund Stoiber, head of the conservative Bavarian CSU party allied to Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, firmly opposed any deployment of German combat troops. He said his Christian Social Union "will never vote for a combat operation for German soldiers in the buffer zone between Hezbollah and the Israeli border".

Lebanese troops on Thursday crossed the strategic Litani river to take up positions as Israel's army pulls back. France has confirmed it is ready to command an expanded international force working along with the Lebanese army, but only with a clear mandate and sufficient resources.
Posted by:Steve

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