MADRID - A first deployment of almost 500 troops in SpainÂ’s contribution to the UN force in Lebanon will reach the war-torn country in mid-September aboard five naval vessels, Spanish newspapers reported on Thursday. The ships, which will carry a marine infantry battalion of around 450 soldiers, are to leave the southern naval base of Rota on September 8 and arrive in southern Lebanon on September 14, El Pais reported. The units will leave one day after receiving the green light for the deployment from the Spanish parliament.
The defense ministry would not comment on the reports when contacted by AFP. But the ministry said earlier this week that the Spanish contingent would leave “almost immediately” after parliament’s authorisation.
With almost 1,000 soldiers reportedly set to be deployed by the end of the year, Spain is to become the third-largest contributor to the international force after Italy, which is contributing 2,450 troops, and France, which is to deploy 2,000. The enlarged force is due to deploy in south Lebanon to enforce a fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah militants, and support the Lebanese army as it takes up positions in the region. A 24-member reconnaissance unit arrived in Beirut from Spain on Wednesday, and was Thursday in the headquarters of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the southern city of Naqura to prepare for the deployment of the main Spanish contingente.
Opposition newspapers Thursday criticized the Socialist government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero for sending the reconnaissance unit before parliament had given its formal authorisation. El Pais said the contingent to leave next month comprised the amphibious assault ship Galicia, the landing ship Pizarro, two frigates and a oil supply vessel. |