Arab Monitor - Germany joins EU Peacekeeping forces in Lebanon .

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Germany joins EU Peacekeeping forces in Lebanon - Peacekeeping force or EU-led occupation of Lebanon ?

Berlin, 26 August - Following yesterday's decision taken at an emergency meeting of the 25 European Union states in Brussels to deploy 7.000 troops in Lebanon, German defense minister Franz Josef Jung announced his country would participate with 1.200 troops. Deputy Chancellor Muentefering warned not to misinterpret the UNIFIL peace-keeping mission announcing it would be a combat mission. Moreover, Germany offers to play a "dominant role" in controlling Lebanon's coast and Lebanese maritime commerce, saying German navy troups must be prepared to go on board of ships even against a captain's will, whenever a ship is suspected to transport weapons for Lebanese militia and to search it. Muentefering said a central duty of the new UNIFIL would be to prevent military equipment and weapons being smuggled to Lebanese militia stresing that Germany intends to participate in this task also with Tornado aircraft from the German airforce.