Lebanon Peacekeepers Call For Urgent Reinforcements
Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent Beirut, Lebanon (AHN) - The head of the UN's peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon says he is in need of urgent reinforcements in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 if the fragile truce currently in place is to survive. Speaking to the AP by telephone, French Maj.-Gen. Alain Pellegrini said at this point the smallest "provocation, or...stray act...could undermine everything." Under the terms of 1701, the international community is to deploy an additional 13,000 troops to southern Lebanon to bolster the 2,000-man UN Interim Force in Lebanon. In addition, 15,000 Lebanese troops are expected to move into the area. But UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric indicated it may take a little longer than originally hoped to get the new peacekeeping force in place as the UN waits for those nations that committed to "step up to the plate." Lebanese Tourism Minister Joe Sarkiss told Al Jazeera on Sunday that the Lebanese army may not be moving south any time soon either, after Hezbollah refused to voluntarily disarm. Both Beirut and the French have stated that forces under there command will not forcibly disarm Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Israel says its 30,000 troops will remain deployed in southern Lebanon until someone other than Hezbollah is ready to fill the vacuum.
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