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Turkey Undertakes Observations in Lebanon Ahead of Troop Deployment |
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Written by Zaman
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Thursday, 24 August 2006 16:44 |
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Turkey is undertaking monitoring and observation missions in southern Lebanon to assess the situation and minimize risks before making any decision regarding Turkey’s contribution to an international peace force proposed to be deployed to the area.
A four-member group from the Turkish Foreign Ministry and General Staff attended Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul’s visit to Lebanon the previous week, and conducted comprehensive observations in the southern region. The group informed the Turkish government about where troops could be stationed. These preliminary works include methods of transporting Turkish troops to Lebanon, where they will be deployed, the buildings that will be used as commanding offices, and how they could contribute to the peace force.
The group even assessed the depth of Lebanese ports in terms of sea vessel safety. Turkish troops will probably be dispatched to Lebanon by sea if Turkey decides to contribute to a likely peace force. Logistic equipment will be dispatched over land. Turkey will send less than 1,000 troops, and the Syrian administration told Ankara that it would allow Turkish troops to pass through Syrian territories.
Although United States President George W. Bush asserted the likely peace force will be mandated to disarm Hezbollah, the Turkish Foreign Ministry reiterated Ankara’s conditions regarding its troop contribution. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Namik Tan said “Turkey will not accept the mission to disarm Hezbollah. Ankara urged the United Nations to answer the following questions: “Will the peace force assume the mission of disarming Hezbollah? In which cases will it respond to resistance? What will be done if armed groups are encountered? How many troops are being demanded? Who will lead the force. |