Last update - 00:00 15/09/2006
Peacekeepers in Lebanon say first 'UN Centcom' will strengthen troops
By The Associated Press
UN peacekeepers recall all too well the inglorious moments when, faced with a hostile enemy, they had to answer to civilians to get approval to defend themselves or the local population - at times with deadly results.
But new troops deploying to expand a long-ineffective UN force in Lebanon are touting the creation of the world body's first military command center ? modeled partly on Centcom in the United States. They say it is a major step toward sending the message: Not anymore.
Along with the toughest tanks used by UN peacekeepers, the new center gives new teeth to the 28-year UNIFIL force in southern Lebanon, which is beefing up more than sevenfold to reach 15,000 troops to enforce the UN-brokered cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah.
The more muscular UN force will now be backed by 13 Leclerc tanks, sophisticated Cobra radar systems and 155-mm artillery cannons wielded by French troops.
Hundreds of Spanish marines in amphibious came ashore Friday in the southern port of Tyre, joining French and Italian reinforcements as the latest additions - though the deployment has hit logistical snags.
The force commander, French Gen. Alain Pellegrini, was quoted in French daily La Croix as saying that the Lebanese government had not done enough to help find areas where incoming troops could set up camp - which has forced him to delay asking for more reinforcements.
To smooth out military communication, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has
ordered the creation of the command center, which will allow Pellegrini to consult with military brass in New York who answer directly to the head of peacekeeping operations, Jean-Marie Guehenno.
The shape and size of the center is still being drawn up, but UN officials say it will likely be headed by an Italian who is seconded by a French officer. France and Italy have the largest contingents in UNIFIL.
"With military-to-military communication, there is generally a greater degree of fidelity than with military-civilian communication," said a top UN peacekeeping department official by phone from New York, speaking on condition of anonymity because the command center is still in development.
"Such rapid response - which is not typically a peacekeeping model - is about making the troops more comfortable," he said.
Heavy military equipment and robust rules of engagement aren't new for UN
forces: In Congo, the UN's largest peacekeeping operation uses attack helicopters and leads military operations to rescue hostages.
"We are moving away from this culture of observation, and aretransforming
from peacekeeping to peace-making, or peace-enforcing," said Lt. Col Eric Carrey, a spokesman for the French forces in Lebanon. "We are in a lessons-learned logic."
The new command center will be no panacea for peacekeepers, whom experts say will have to be backed by a political will to strike back at either Hezbollah or Israeli forces if they violate cease-fire terms.