German cabinet authorises Lebanon mission

BERLIN: The German cabinet has authorised sending troops to join the expanded UN force in Lebanon, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday.       

"The cabinet has approved sending navy troops to patrol Lebanon's seaways. We are no longer only a spectator in the region," Merkel said.       

The mission, which must still be approved by the lower house of parliament, will mark Germany's first military foray into the Middle East since World War II.            

"This is not an intervention like any other. This is a historic step," Merkel said.      

Defence Minister Franz-Josef Jung said Germany would lead the marine component of the UN force and has been given "a robust but not aggressive mandate" to patrol Lebanon's coast.     

"We will control the whole of Lebanon's waters, within 50 nautical miles of the coast. We will have the right to use force against vessels that show resistance," he said.      

The marine force is meant to prevent arms being smuggled to Hezbollah fighters by sea. 

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Germany believed contributing to the UN force in Lebanon was a first step towards building lasting peace in the Middle East.