Proposed Force in Lebanon Not to Include U.S. Troops

[ProSense]

Proposed Force in Lebanon Not to Include U.S. Troops

By Thomas E. Ricks and Robin Wright
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, July 22, 2006; Page A12

In a departure from past peacekeeping missions to Lebanon, the force currently being discussed would not include U.S. troops, U.S. officials said yesterday.

Planning for the force is in early stages, but officials said they anticipate it including 10,000 to 20,000 troops led by a contingent from France or Turkey.

U.S. forces are already stretched by operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and there are no troops to spare for Lebanon, Pentagon officials said.

Snip...

In the past, Israel has wanted strong U.S. participation in such peacekeeping forces. But Daniel Ayalon, the Israeli ambassador to the United States, said yesterday that his country simply wants to ensure that the force is capable of decisive action.

"It has to be robust and have a lot of intelligence capability," he said, emphasizing that he simply was discussing tentative notions. "That could neutralize a lot of terror attacks."

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/21/AR2006072101438.html

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. Good idea

Other countries do peacekeeping much better then we ever would even try.

All we know how to do is lay everything to waste.

[ShortnFiery]

2. I second that! eom

[Spazito]

3. That is wise, imo

Canada should not be involved either, which is sad, because our Prime Minister has tainted our previous ability to be seen as fair to all sides.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. Good. There's already enough fuel on that fire.

[partylessinOhio]

5. This is the exact opposite of what a caller said this AM on Wash. Journal.

A mother called in and said she had just heard from her son in the military that they were being sent to Lebanon.

I tend to feel that inside information is more accurate but we shall see.

[NYC]

8. Please keep us informed.

Thanks in advance. :hi:

[movonne]

6. And maybe Israel could help rebuild...yeah right..

[oberliner]

7. Didn't they already try this?

The United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon, or UNIFIL, was created by the United Nations, with the adoption of Security Council Resolution 425 and 426 on 19 March 1978, to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon (following its incursion a few days earlier in Operation Litani), restore the international peace and security, and help the Lebanese Government restore its effective authority in the area. The first UNIFIL troops arrived in the area on 23 March 1978; these troops were reassigned from other UN peacekeeping operations in the area (namely UNEF and UNDOF).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNIFIL