French troops arrive in Lebanon

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- A contingent of 170 French troops, part of the 2,000 France has pledged to the U.N. cease-fire force, arrived in Lebanon Friday, reports Deutsche Welle radio.

The latest arrivals augment a group of 49 engineers France already has sent to Lebanon. The troops arrived at the coastal town of Naqura to reinforce U.N. peacekeepers along the border with Israel.

"I have decided to send two extra battalions into the field to expand our UNIFIL contingent," French President Jacques Chirac said Thursday. "Two thousand French soldiers will thus be placed under the U.N. flag in Lebanon."

Israel, the United States and Lebanon welcomed the French decision, the report said.

U.S. President Bush said, "l encourage other nations to make contributions as well."

Lebanon's Prime Minister Fuad Siniora said, "In turn, this will help speed up the formation of the international force, which along with the Lebanese army, will protect civilians and achieve security and stability."

The United Nations said French General Alain Pellegrini would take command to monitor the cease-fire between Israel and the Shiite militia Hezbollah, Deutsche Welle said. Pellegrini currently commands the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon.

The new U.N. force needs 15,000 troops called for in Security Council Resolution 1701 to help the Lebanese army control Hezbollah in areas of the country formerly occupied by the Israeli Defense Forces, Arutz Sheva reported Friday.