Posted on 07/18/2006 10:14:30 AM PDT by SmithL
Urging the international community to "end the fighting and the killing," UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan backed a Lebanon stabilization force Tuesday stressing it must be bigger and better armed than the UN's current force of about 2,000.
Speaking to reporters after discussing the Middle East at the European Commission, Annan said the UN Security Council would have to work out the proposed force's size and rules of engagement.
He said such a force should be "larger than the 2,000-man force we have there (and) have a different concept of operation and, hopefully, a different mandate from the Security Council that will allow them to operate" in southern Lebanon.
He said that would "help stabilize the situation whilst it gives the government of Lebanon time to organize itself (and) extend its authority throughout the territory, including the south" where Hizbullah militants have built up their military capabilities.
The deployment of the stabilization force would also give the government in Beirut time to "sort out the question of disarmament of the militia" in south Lebanon, Annan said.
He said he expects European and other countries to supply troops for the force, saying "It is urgent that the international community acts to make a difference on the ground."
Standing next to Annan at a news conference, Javier Solana, the EU's foreign and security chief, said, "We will be ready to help."
The current UN force in South Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, was created in 1978 to boost the Beirut government's authority there, but it proved to be powerless.
Annan said a new UN force would have "different capabilities," suggesting a much more powerful military presence.
Israel and the Lebanon-based Hizbullah oppose a new force.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair first mentioned such a force at the G-8 summit in St. Petersburg Monday as the "only way we're going to get a cessation of hostilities" between Israel and Hizbullah terrorists in Lebanon.
First of all, its pronounced: uhhhhnnn. It means 'not' or opposed to. Common uses are UNable, UNaccountable, UNAmerican, UNapproachable, UNArmed, UNBalanced, UNBearable, UNBecoming, UNBelievable, UNCalledfor, UNCharitable, UNChaste, UNChristian, UNCivil, UNClean, UNCommitted, UNCompromising, UNConscionable, UNCouth, UNDerachiever, UNDerarm, UNDertaker, UNDerworld, UNDesirable, UNEarthly, UNEmployed, UNEssential, UNFair, UNFit, UNFortunate, UNFounded, UNFriendly, UNGodly, UNGrateful, UNHealthy, UNHoly, UNIntelligent, UNIntelligible, UNJust, UNKempt, UNKind, UNKnowing, UNLawful, UNMannerly, UNMoral, UNNecessary, UNPleasant, UNPrincipled, UNReal, UNReasonable, UNRuly, UNSavory, UNScrupulous, UNSeemly, UNSightly, UNThankful, UNToward, UNWholesome, UNWise.... and although UNFirst but UNLeast, UNWorthy.
I say letting the Israelis kill rabid dog Hizbollah and Pali terrorist types is doing something!
A U.N. peacekeeping force is never a good idea. It is, in fact, worse than ignoring the problem.
Unless you have knowledge of a U.N. peace keeping success, anywhere, that we have not been informed about?
Nor should we at this point. The Israelis have to finish the job, then we can talk about calming the situation. Peace can be established once victory is attained.
What a farce!!! We should quit the UN and kick their butts out of the US. For the most part, they are a bunch of anti-american spies, supported by the American taxpayer.
the UN does not have 'forces'!
Annan is in favor of anything adding to the size, complexity, and most importantly, the funding of the UN - which he personally will oversee. Makes me wonder if he's a member of the NEA.
You have been here since last Tuesday. You look like kitty chow to me.
Sure...
So they watch the pretty missles as they right over thier heads into Israel, and even help carry them into firing positions!
Sorry...
The only way you can rid of vermin permanently is to exterminate them...
The US is correct in doing nothing. Israel isn't finished killing Hezzbullies and Hamasholes. Once enough terrorists have been removed, THEN the situation will calm itself.
Then I oppose it.
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