U.N. Secretary General Koffi Annan has called for the introduction of a large U.N. force to patrol the southern part of Lebanon as part of his plan to end the fighting between Hezbollah guerillas and Israel.
The Lebanese government has sought international help to patrol the southern part of the country which has been used by the Islamic militant group Hezbollah to launch missiles into Israel, causing Israel to attack Hezbollah strong points inside Lebanon. The Lebanese army is not strong enough to gain control of southern Lebanon from Hezbollah at this time.
Prior to the outbreak of hostilities in the region, a small U.N. force of 2,000 soldiers was in place but that was not sufficient enough to have any real impact on the region. Annan says he seeks a much larger force in the future and one that will be able to control the area.
'It is urgent that the international community acts to make a difference on the ground,' Annan said at a news conference in Brussels on Tuesday. He added that the European Union would most likely supply troops for this mission.
Javier Solana, the EU's foreign and security chief, expressed his support for Annan's plan and said, 'We will be ready to help.'
The Israeli government expressed support for the idea of an international force in southern Lebanon to create a buffer between Hezbollah militants and Israel on a short term basis. Speaking from the Israeli capital of Jerusalem, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told reporters that peace in south Lebanon 'requires activity by the Lebanese government, with the oversight [and] assistance of the international community.'
Annan is sending Vijay Nambiar, his special political advisor, to meet with the combatants in an attempt to broker a cease fire. Nambiar has already been in Beirut and is scheduled to visit Jerusalem later on Tuesday. He may then return to Lebanon before visiting the Syrian capital, Damascus. Annan said Nambiar is trying to 'find a way of getting the parties to end the hostilities.'
