Europeans slow to join U.N. mission

BERLIN, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- European governments are reluctant to contribute troops to the peacekeeping force in Lebanon because of concerns about the rules of engagement.

Fifty French navy commandos arrived Saturday, Deutsche Welle reported. France, designated as the mission leader, agreed to contribute 200 more troops, far short of what other leaders had hoped for.

The United Nations has had peacekeepers on the border between Lebanon and Israel for 28 years. The organization hoped to add 3,500 troops to the 2,000-strong force within 10 days and eventually increase the size of the contingent to 15,000.

Germany has agreed to send naval vessels to the area but has not been willing to send ground forces out of concern they might have to fire on Israeli troops.

"What we're missing is a plan of operation," said Gert Weisskirchen of the Social Democratic Party. "The rules of engagement are not clear and the (United Nations) has to finally decide on that."