Lebanon PM: Only we disarm Hezbollah

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said Thursday only his country's army -- and not U.N. peacekeepers -- will disarm Hezbollah militants.

"It's clear that the Lebanese army will carry out this mission," Siniora said in an interview with Italy's La Repubblica newspaper. "The multinational force is not supposed to do that and should not bother itself with it. Hezbollah is a political party represented in the government and it agreed to the seven-point plan presented to the U.N. by the Lebanese government."

Moves are under way for Italy to lead a blue-helmeted contingent of 15,000 U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, the scene of 34 days of fighting between Hezbollah militants and Israeli forces that ended Aug. 14 with a U.N. cease-fire.

Siniora told the newspaper there should be no fear for Italian troops' safety.

"Lebanon and Italy have much in common: History, culture, and the fact we're both Mediterranean countries," he said. "The Italian soldiers will be among friends and not in a hostile environment."