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Italy Decides on Significant Deployment

Questions still surround the makeup of the peacekeeping force that is set to supposedly assist the Lebanese Army in a job it has been reluctant to do for decades ? patrol the border with Israel, in the hopes of preventing a future war between Israel and Islamist terror groups like Hizballah. Both the Lebanese government and United Nations have stated that they, respectively, will not attempt to disarm Hizballah as specifically required under UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Israel fears that it will be the only party held to the resolution?s provisions.

However, this week Italy has shown its willingness to step up to the task of making up a significant portion of the European contingent which is expected to make up roughly half of the expanded United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, pledging at least 2,000 troops, maybe more, in the wake of France?s decision a couple of weeks ago to scale back its involvement, then a further reversal by stating it would take up leadership duties, albeit temporarily.

Italian troops have left from the country?s ports, still somewhat in the dark about just what their mandate will be, but committed to being a constructive part of the effort to create a new situation on the ground in the Middle East. The expanded UNIFIL is expected to be made up of 15,000 troops, and pledges from Muslim nations are increasing even as Israel declares it will not permit troops from Muslim countries which do not recognize the Jewish state to be based along its border.