Turkey, Jordan, Egypt. Will these troops be protecting Israel from Hizballah, or Hizballah from Israel? “EU Wants Mideast Peace Force With Strong Muslim Component,” from AP, with thanks to Bill:
The EU and U.N. agree the peacekeeping mission must have a strong Muslim component to give it credibility. But Israel objects to nations that do not recognize the Jewish state, saying such troops would make it impossible for Jerusalem to share intelligence with the U.N. force.
Israel’s objection would include Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh, which have volunteered troops. Turkey, meanwhile, which does have diplomatic relations with Israel and would be acceptable to all parties, has not decided whether to join the force.
It was unclear how the United Nations would meet Israel’s demand to prevent the Islamic militants of Hezbollah from rearming, including controlling the Lebanon-Syrian border.
“Israel seeks troops from Muslim nations,” from AP:
JERUSALEM – Israel said Saturday it was encouraging some Muslim countries to send peacekeepers to southern Lebanon, a contribution that would lend credibility to the heavily European force….
The EU and U.N. agree the peacekeeping mission must have a strong Muslim component to give it credibility. Israel, however, objects to nations that do not recognize the Jewish state, saying such troops would make it impossible for Jerusalem to share intelligence with the U.N. force. That would exclude Indonesia, Bangladesh and Malaysia, which have offered troops.
But Israel said it has been in touch with other Muslim countries to encourage them to participate, particularly Turkey, which has diplomatic relations with Israel.
“If Turkey decides to send a contingent, we would welcome that,” said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev.
Jordan and Egypt also are among Muslim countries that have diplomatic relations with Israel.