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No German Troops in Lebanon

Noting Germany`s responsibility to Israel after the events of the Holocaust, Chancellor Angela Merkel has ruled out German ground troops taking part in the UN peacekeeping force being sent to aid the Lebanese Army in asserting Beirut`s sovereignty over Lebanon`s south. Ms. Merkel has more than once in recent weeks stated her opposition to a situation where German troops may aim their weapons at Israeli troops.

Instead of a ground contingent, Germany is pledging naval support to help prevent the smuggling of arms into the country for the Hizballah terrorist group via a sea route. Speculation had been that while Germany would not send troops to Lebanon`s south, Berlin might be willing to send troops to help secure the border with Syria - also to prevent arms smuggling. Preventing the re-armament of Hizballah is a key provision of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

"As far as securing the airports and the borders is concerned, Germany`s interest is to advise and to train the Lebanese security forces. The borders will be protected by Lebanese soldiers or police," Chancellor Merkel said to the German press. While German land units will not take part, the participation of Germany will be the first German military deployment to the Middle East since the Second World War.