[Kabar-indonesia] Indonesia among nations willing to contribute to U.N. force in Lebanon

[Joyo at aol.com]

Associated Press 
August 13, 2006

France, Italy, Indonesia among nations willing to contribute to U.N. force in 
Lebanon

PARIS (AP): France and Italy, along with predominantly Muslim Indonesia, 
Turkey and Malaysia, signaled willingness to send peacekeepers to a bigger, 
stronger U.N. force in Lebanon, and consultations were expected to start quickly to 
hammer out the force's makeup and mandate.

Governments worldwide urged Israel and Hezbollah to seize the chance for a 
cease-fire, a day after the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution 
seeking a "full cessation" of hostilities. As fighting continued, German Foreign 
Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier called the resolution "a chance ... that 
must not be wasted."

The resolution, drafted by France and the United States, authorizes 15,000 
U.N. peacekeepers to help Lebanese troops take control of south Lebanon, a 
Hezbollah stronghold, as Israeli forces that have occupied the area withdraw.

Other countries that say they could send peacekeepers include New Zealand and 
Ireland.

Observers said Saturday France would be well-suited to lead such a force, 
especially given its diplomatic success in acting such a force, especially given 
its diplomatic success in acting as a go-between with the United States and 
Lebanon, a historically.

As France had pushed for, the resolution strengthens an existing force - 
UNIFIL, which now has 2,000 troops and has been in place since 1978.

The United States, worried about UNIFIL's historicineffectiveness, had 
originally pressed for another solution - deployment of an entirely new 
multinational force separate from UNIFIL - leading up to an Israeli withdrawal.

The beefed-up mission will monitor the cessation of fighting, ensure aid 
reaches civilians and back up the Lebanese army.

The resolution authorizes the force to use "all necessary action ... to 
ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any 
kind." It can use force to ensure the movement of aid workers and protect 
civilians in imminent danger, among other situations.

But as nations weigh their contributions, there may be more discussion on 
when exactly the force can use firepower. The Security Council also said UNIFIL's 
mandate could be "enhanced" in a later resolution.

Malaysia is preparing a force of about 1,000 soldiers to take part in the 
mission in Lebanon once fighting stops, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said. 
He said Malaysia would discuss with Indonesia and Brunei - two neighboring 
Muslim countries which are also prepared to send peacekeepers - on ways for 
theircontingents to work closely together.

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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