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Lebanon

Commitments of UN troops to Lebanon more concrete

New York_(dpa) _ The United Nations is confident it will be able to send the first of 3,500 soldiers this week as part of a reinforced 15,000-strong international peace-keeping force in southern Lebanon, said UN diplomats Tuesday.

Italy and France made concrete promises for a quick deployment of their UN soldiers during meetings at UN headquarters in New York. On Friday, France said their contribution to the force stood at 2,000 soldiers while Italy has offered 3,000 troops.

About 20 countries have assured their participation in the international effort to monitor a fragile ceasefire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon.

Plans to boost the current UN mission of 2,000 soldiers in southern Lebanon were agreed on August 11 under Security Council Resolution 1701 which ended fighting between Israel and Hezbollah militants.

Though Germany has declined to send any ground troops to Lebanon, it will participate by deploying naval units to protect Lebanon's coastline.

Another meeting is planned to be held within the next few days. dpa cd pw

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