Posted on 08/03/2006 9:52:54 AM PDT by WmShirerAdmirer
Islamic countries, preparing to hold an emergency meeting Thursday to discuss the Mideast crisis, want to ensure that Muslim countries participate in any multinational force deployed in Lebanon.
The government of Malaysia, which chairs the 57-member Organization for the Islamic Conference (OIC), says the bloc will likely call for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hizballah.
It also will demand the deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping force that must include OIC members, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Representatives from at least 17 member states plan to attend the meeting in the Malaysian administrative capital of Putrajaya.
They include Syria and Iran, whose governments are accused of supporting and arming Hizballah, as well as leading Arab nations such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Also attending will be Turkey, which has expressed interest in participating in a peacekeeping mission.
Germany's deputy foreign minister, Gernot Erler, said Monday that Turks and Egyptians may form the basis for a force, along with French troops.
Malaysia also has indicated that it would consider contributing troops.
Israel, leery of a U.N. force, favors deployment of a force under NATO command. The U.S. government has said a force could be authorized by a U.N. Security Council resolution without being a blue-helmeted U.N. force.
State Department spokesman Tom Casey pointed out that peacekeeping forces in Bosnia and Kosovo were led by the European Union and NATO, but were authorized by the U.N.
But Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar was quoted by the official Bernama news agency as saying that the OIC members "want a U.N. peacekeeping force [in Lebanon], not a force mandated by the world body."
The three Islamic nations named so far as possible contributors have all censured Israel for its Israeli military operation in Lebanon. In the early days of the conflict, the Egyptian government also was mildly critical of what it called "adventurism" by Hizballah.
The OIC's Jeddah-based secretary general, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu -- a Turk -- has issued repeated statements condemning Israel's "ruthless" operation and accusing the Jewish state of "war crimes." The statements, posted on the bloc's website, contain no criticism of Hizballah.
Exactly what role a multinational force in Lebanon will have remains the subject for negotiations. Discussions may be held at the U.N. on Thursday
I'm seeing on the broadtape today that Lebanon doesn't want a multinational force becuase Hellazaballoo, Iran and Syria don't want them there.
oh heck no.
I'm seeing on the broadtape today that Lebanon doesn't want a multinational force becuase Hellazaballoo, Iran and Syria don't want them there.
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Makes sense. And they are afraid of Syria and Iran. The Hezzies are just proxies for Iran and Syria anyway. Until a war is fought to neutralize Iran and Syria, will this area ever settle down to peace -- Iran and Syria will continue to feed their proxies.
(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)
Muslim troops, yeah, so they can slip some misslies to the Hezzies, sure!
According to the Koran it is OK to lie to an Infidel ( thats us ). The enemy among us.
Deploying Muslims who will mostly be sympathetic to Hezbollah will just make the problem worse.
But then, that's the idea, isn't it?
Would these be moslim troops in uniform or just your civilian dress terriorist variety?
I still can't understand how anyone can use "Peacekeeper" and "Muslim Troops" in the same sentence AND keep a straight face.
from the "People in Hell Want Ice Water" Dep't.
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