Finland Announces Troop's Roles
Joseph S. Mayton - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent Beirut, Lebanon (AHN) - Finland plans on sending 250 soldiers to Lebanon in order to clear mines and help set up bases for the revamped United Nations peacekeeping force in the war-torn country. According to plans from Helsinki, a small intelligence contingent will be deployed in October, while the full force the following month. "We are well aware of the risks involved with this operation," Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen told Finnish YLE radio. "Cease-fire violations are likely to be the biggest risk of all. Also, numerous unexploded mines and bombs in the area pose a direct threat," the Prime Minister added. Italy will lead the bolstered UN force in Lebanon with approximately 3,000 troops being sent. The 250 soldiers are part of up to 7,000 European Union troops, which were agreed upon earlier in Brussels. The ceasefire was adopted on August 14 following 34 days of fighting between Israel and the militant movement Hezbollah.
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