UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations on Monday indefinitely postponed a meeting called by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to begin planning a new international peacekeeping force for Lebanon.A UN official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the meeting, which had been scheduled for Monday afternoon, had been delayed “until there is more political clarity” on the path ahead in the Middle East conflict.
| Meaning they can't find anyone to donate troops. |
| And all the hotels in Cyprus are full. |
Annan had announced the meeting of potential troop-contributing countries last Friday, saying the time had come for the international community to help the warring sides and civilians caught in the middle. Annan had said from the start the discussions would be preliminary because the Security Council has not yet set out a mandate for the international force, defining what the troops would be asked to do.
Major powers have said a force could not be deployed while fighting continued and without the consent of Israel, Lebanon and the Hezbollah organization. The force would aim to implement a peace plan that has yet to be outlined by the 15-nation council. Only after the council has approved a mandate for the new force will countries actually decide whether they to participate.
| I hear the French volunteered. |