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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 18:53 20/10/2007 Spanish, Italian, French FMs visit UNIFIL, pledge support for troops By The Associated Press The foreign ministers of France, Italy and Spain - on a symbolic visit to southern Lebanon - pledged continued support for UN peacekeepers whose mandate is to oversee a truce along the Lebanese-Israeli border but who are increasingly threatened by al-Qaida-inspired militants and political instability in Beirut. The visit by Bernard Kouchner of France, Massimo D'Alema of Italy and Miguel Angel Moratinos of Spain comes at a difficult political time for Lebanon. The three ministers are hoping to help mediate among the feuding Lebanese factions because the deep political crisis in Beirut could have serious implications on the UN mission in southern Lebanon. Already, the UN peacekeeping force of 13,530 from some 28 countries have come under attack in southern Lebanon. In June, a car bombing killed six peacekeepers from the Spanish contingent. Other bombings recently have been thwarted by authorities. Advertisement No group has claimed responsibility for the June attack or another one that followed in July. But in a July videotape, Al-Qaida's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri blessed the first attack, fueling speculation that it was carried out by Al-Qaida-linked militants. Further political instability in Beirut and resulting deterioration of security could reflect negatively on the peacekeeping force's ability to implement its mission of securing the border. The three top diplomats flew by UN helicopter from Beirut to the headquarters of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, in the fishing border town of Naqoura on the Mediterranean Sea for a briefing from Force Commander Maj. Gen. Claudio Graziano of Italy. The ministers later flew to the bases of their respective troop contingents serving with UNIFIL. In statements at Naquora, the Italian foreign minister said it was the first time that the three foreign ministers of the main Euro-Mediterranean countries, who are the main contributors to UNIFIL, were together in Lebanon. "I want to stress how important is this message of commitment, engagement and unity. Our presence here is a testimony of our support ... and deep appreciation," D'Alema said. Kouchner said the troika's visit to UNIFIL was to reinforce our support to the international community forces, and he pledged continued support. "We are strongly determined to follow till the end. The end is what? Peace, unity, sovereignty of Lebanon and certainly also implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701," the French foreign minister said. Moratinos said the three "came to salute our troops, to salute UNIFIL, this UN force that is working to stabilize the situation." The reinforced UNIFIL deployed after the Second Lebanon War last summer between Israel and Hezbollah, a 34-day conflict that killed up to 1,200 Lebanese, and some 160 Israelis. Under UN resolution 1701, it assists about 15,000 Lebanese troops maintain a weapons-free zone along the border. Hezbollah slams U.S. call for 'partnership' with Lebanon army Hezbollah on Friday denounced a senior Pentagon official's call for a U.S. strategic partnership with Lebanon's army, saying American attempts to boost military ties were a ploy for domination and could turn the country into another Iraq. Washington has dramatically increased military aid to Lebanon's pro-Western government over the past year. On Thursday, Eric Edelman, undersecretary of defense for policy, said the U.S. wants to make military ties even closer, with a strategic partnership to strengthen the country's forces. Edelman said in an interview with Lebanese Broadcasting Corp. television that the building up of the military would mean the Shiite Muslim guerrilla group Hezbollah would have no excuse to bear arms. He comments came on the same day that a Lebanese newspaper reported that Washington is proposing a treaty with Lebanon that would make it a strategic partner and lead to the creation of American bases. The Lebanese government and the U.S. ambassador in Beirut denied the report in the opposition-leaning As-Safir newspaper, and Edelman made no mention of bases in his comments. The comments and the newspaper report brought quick condemnation from Hezbollah, which is an ally of Syria and Iran and leads Lebanon's political opposition to the anti-Syrian government. The opposition, which is locked in a power struggle with the government, already accuses Prime Minister Fuad Siniora of being too close to the United States. In a statement Friday, Hezbollah said the "American efforts were part of a comprehensive plan to link Lebanon with the American project for the region ... under deceitful banners such as strategic partnership," it said. Hezbollah, which Washington accuses of being a terrorist organization, accused the United States of interference in Lebanese affairs, saying the American plans and the dangers it encompass could turn the country into another Iraq. It did not elaborate. Some in Lebanon have expressed fears that a foreign military presence could attract al-Qaida and other militants, as has happened in Iraq. Syria, meanwhile, accused the United States of threatening Lebanon's stability with its backing of the government in the country's political turmoil. In a letter sent to the United Nations on Thursday, it said U.S. interference has so far deepened divisions by clearly and openly siding with one Lebanese side after the other. The United States - and anti-Syrian politicians in Lebanon - accuse Damascus of fueling Lebanon's instability with its backing of Hezbollah, and say Syria is trying to restore the political domination it held over Lebanon for nearly 30 years until 2005. The opposition, in turn, accuses Siniora's government - which came to power after the end of Syrian rule - of putting Lebanon in the U.S. camp. The opposition has tried for months to remove his government and the two sides are in a dangerous deadlock over the choice of the country's next president. After last year's war between Hezbollah and Israel, the United States sharply increased its military assistance to Lebanon to $270 million in 2007 - more than five times the amount provided a year ago - in a show of support to Siniora. The military in Lebanon has long been weak, numbering 56,000 personnel, with about 220 battle tanks, no effective air power and no air defense system. Hezbollah guerrillas are widely considered a stronger, more experienced force, and they were able to fight Lebanon's military to a standstill last year. Since the battle with Israel, Lebanese forces and UN peacekeepers have deployed in the south - Hezbollah's stronghold - in part with a mandate to prevent new arms flows to the guerrillas. But they have not taken steps to disarm Hezbollah. Asked whether helping the Lebanese army aimed at eventually taking on Hezbollah, Edelman said that as the army strengthens its capabilities there will be less excuse for other armed groups to continue to bear arms. Related articles: Israel refuses to open talks with Lebanon over Shaba Farms Pentagon: U.S. to build 'strategic partnership' with Lebanese army Barak: System for shooting down short-range rockets to be ready by 2010 Bookmark to del.icio.us A Palestinian gesture The top PA diplomat in Poland joined his Israeli counterpart on a visit to Auschwitz. Link to Temple found A controversial excavation at Temple Mount has unearthed fragments from First Temple era.   1.   Strategic ties = Imperialism. The old Imperialists claimed they 18:59  |  Apartheid 19/10/07   2.   US and Syria - STAY OUT OF LEBANON 19:09  |  Mark of Lewiston 19/10/07   3.   Protecting Oil with Lebanon 19:21  |  Dovy 19/10/07   4.   The Lebanese aren`t fools 19:24  |  Bryan 19/10/07   5.   Dream on 19:38  |  Ali 19/10/07   6.   Nasrallah can rant and plan terror attacks, but... 19:59  |  Fortuna Benmayor 19/10/07   7.   #4 20:00  |  Faris 19/10/07   8.   Iraq Lite 20:00  |  Awake 19/10/07   9.   To Mark of Lewiston, don`t become so emotional... 20:02  |  Fortuna Benmayor 19/10/07   10.   "Partnership"? 20:04  |  P. J. Casey 19/10/07   11.   THE ONLY SOLUTION:ISRAEL RETAKE LEBANON AND KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL 21:21  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 19/10/07   12.   P.J. Casey 21:27  |  sir 19/10/07   13.   Lebanon, US base 21:29  |  jack 19/10/07   14.   Islamic Imperialism 21:37  |  duh!! 19/10/07   15.   Another nation building exercise by the faile idologues 21:51  |  Tosefta 19/10/07   16.   Please boost the lebanese military 21:57  |  sam 19/10/07   17.   This one is for you Mr. Apartheid #1 22:06  |  Barry 19/10/07   18.   @ 6 and all. We all should stop dreaming about Hez!!! 22:11  |  Karl 19/10/07   19.   Some info on Eric Edelman, the US explainer: 22:30  |  Tosefta 19/10/07   20.   MISSING THE POINT, AGAIN... 22:44  |  Brant 19/10/07   21.   Tosefta #16 22:51  |  TonyL 19/10/07   22.   Hezbollah-Iranian Entity 22:53  |  Brod 19/10/07   23.   wow number 16 probably went to school with eric edelman 22:56  |  HAL TRIPP 19/10/07   24.   oops Lebanese have been begging for this 23:05  |  peter 19/10/07   25.   Please boost the Lebanese Military (Part 2) 23:06  |  The Smart Sam 19/10/07   26.   # 2 Mark of Lewiston 23:06  |  Lynn 19/10/07   27.   # 10 P J Casey 23:09  |  Lynn 19/10/07   28.   Peter from Montreal 00:21  |  Rammi Abraham 20/10/07   29.   Morning Lynn 00:26  |  Rammi Abraham 20/10/07   30.   Barry 00:44  |  Rammi Abraham 20/10/07   31.   apartheid # 1 and do pray tell us all what hesbullah and syria 01:32  |  terrornator 20/10/07   32.   bryan,#4hesbullah will never disarm unless iran says it can! 01:34  |  terrornator 20/10/07   33.   ali # 5 what the hell are you doing,living in boston ma 01:38  |  terrornator 20/10/07   34.   Rammi Abraham #28 01:47  |  TonyL 20/10/07   35.   lynn,regan and bush senior did their part to screw up the middle 01:51  |  terrornator 20/10/07   36.   rammi abraham,im glad you brought up the issue of 02:00  |  terrornator 20/10/07   37.   lebanon 02:11  |  thomas 20/10/07   38.   Hizbolla`s unrealistic 02:21  |  Palestinian Rational 20/10/07   39.   26 Lynn - I Beg to Differ 02:26  |  Mark of Lewiston 20/10/07   40.   Voice of Moshiach 02:26  |  Avrum 20/10/07   41.   #30 Rammi! 02:29  |  Lynn 20/10/07   42.   Tosefta # 19 - Water Seeks Its Own Level 03:38  |  Eli 20/10/07   43.   USA LEAVE US ALONE 04:01  |  sou 20/10/07   44.   #40 Mark of Lewiston 04:13  |  Lynn 20/10/07   45.   #2, MARK, i agree 100% 04:14  |  VIPER 20/10/07   46.   # 36 terrornator 04:15  |  Lynn 20/10/07   47.   terrornator 04:15  |  sou 20/10/07   48.   #6, FORTUNA, hezbollah will rid lebs of u.s once again 04:16  |  VIPER 20/10/07   49.   Last Year 04:30  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/07   50.   TonyL 05:33  |  Rammi Abraham 20/10/07   51.   To Terrornator # 37 & Barry # 17 05:34  |  Wally 20/10/07   52.   Terrornator 05:42  |  Rammi Abraham 20/10/07   53.   Lynn 05:53  |  Rammi Abraham 20/10/07   54.   Apology to TonyL 05:56  |  Rammi Abraham 20/10/07   55.   hizbollah is right... 05:59  |  ravi 20/10/07   56.   Right thing to do now... 06:06  |  Billy Joe 20/10/07   57.   WHAT IS THIS HEZ EBOLA VIRUS dictating 06:40  |  cristo 20/10/07   58.   Who is turning whom into what.... 07:38  |  Esther 20/10/07   59.   UNSCR 1701 mandates 07:40  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 20/10/07   60.   Hizbollah, main "political" force in Lebanon? 09:31  |  KUTW 20/10/07   61.   Hezbollah whining 11:15  |  Alan 20/10/07   62.   # 43 sou of sydney 14:53  |  Lynn 20/10/07   63.   Neither the IDF or the Lebanese army could handle Hizbollah 15:10  |  Natallie Durson 20/10/07   64.   # 51 Wally of Melbourne 15:16  |  Lynn 20/10/07   65.   Please enlighten me 15:29  |  Mike Schmidt 20/10/07   66.   Countering Islamist Iran building the Shiite crescent proxies 15:55  |  PETER S.M. 20/10/07   67.   wally and the aborigines part # 2 16:02  |  terrornator 20/10/07   68.   sou in sydNAY # 47 like i said ,hide your head in the sand and 16:14  |  terrornator 20/10/07   69.   nassralah hiding underground and pouting 16:46  |  peter 20/10/07   70.   APARTHEID .New Imperialism.Islamic terror worldwide 17:15  |  PETER SM 20/10/07   71.   lyn 17:22  |  sou 20/10/07   72.   hey harretz,is there anyone really out there,please post my 17:31  |  terrornator 20/10/07   73.   ravi # 55 your opinion about america dosen`t carry much weight 17:39  |  terrornator 20/10/07   74.   pledging support for the troops 19:21  |  KUTW 20/10/07   75.   Is Hizbollah the government? 19:29  |  KUTW 20/10/07   76.   5. Ali: Dream on 19:32  |  KUTW 20/10/07   77.   Not necessarily Tosefta 04:15  |  Mark Lincoln 21/10/07   78.   How to solve the republican problem 04:19  |  Mark Lincoln 21/10/07   79.   # 11 Voice of Moshiac 04:22  |  Bruno 22/10/07

Today Online Britain's chief rabbi: Multiculturalism is threat to democracy Responses: 155 Fayad: Suspects in plot to kill Olmert have been arrested again Responses: 152 PM: Annapolis summit will not bring historic breakthrough Responses: 116 Gideon Levy: The time has come for Israel to give up on Ron Arad Responses: 109 Prince Hassan of Jordan: Muslims must differentiate between Israeli action, Jews Responses: 81 Rosner's Domain * Jumblatt to Bush: Send car bombs to Damascus * Israel's fear: Will Rice put a bridging proposal on the table? * WTR: 75% of Americans don't believe in peace process * Guest: Should the Saudis attend Annapolis? More Headlines 21:38 Palestinian PM: Suspects in plot against Olmert back in custody 04:22 ANALYSIS: Olmert assassination plot leaves PA caught unaware 04:27 IAF strike injures at least four Hamas gunmen in north Gaza 22:08 In act of joint reflection, Israeli and PA diplomats visit Auschwitz 04:41 Psychologists: Women's accounts of rape by Katsav were credible 04:16 Ex-Pentagon official: Missile defense need be only 80% effective 02:28 High-level North Korean official meets Syrian PM in Damascus 00:18 Lebanese Druze leader calls on U.S. to impose sanctions on Syria 02:37 U.S. Muslim group charged with funding Hamas to hear verdict Previous Editions Select Day 21 oct 19 oct 18 oct 17 oct 16 oct 15 oct 14 oct 12 oct 11 oct 10 oct 09 oct 08 oct

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