France Offers To Take Part In Lebanon Peacekeeping Force

Easy Bourse ^ | Saturday, July 22, 2006 | Dowjones

[MinorityRepublican]

ABU DHABI (AP)--France will participate in an international peacekeeping force for Lebanon under certain conditions, French Defense Minister Michelle Alliot-Marie said on Saturday.

Such a force would have "no meaning," Alliot-Marie warned, without contributor countries identifying in advance its duties and how these would be carried out. She didn't say how large the force would be. Alliot-Marie made her comments at a press conference after meeting Abu Dhabi's crown prince Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed.

While the fighting in Lebanon between Israeli and Hezbollah forces was part of a larger problem, Alliot-Marie added that a quick end to the clashes was needed.

"It is not possible to isolate the ongoing crisis from its wider framework in the region but, first of all, we should look for a quick solution to the ongoing problem," she said.

France, which has historical ties to Lebanon, backed the idea of an international peacekeeping force at last week's Group of Eight summit in Russia.

It is likely to be discussed at Wednesday's meeting in Rome on the crisis, which will be attended by U.S.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other key players in the region.

[oceanview]

as what, a hezbollah ally?

[goldstategop]

The French know UNIFIL's a joke and they're not serious about making it really effective. When it comes to diplomacy, the French are masters at being weasels.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em, Down Hezbullies.)

[MinorityRepublican]

[Normal4me]

"France will participate in an international peacekeeping force for Lebanon under certain conditions"

No violence.
No weapons allowed.
Six hour work days.
Weekends off.

[Stultis]

we should look for a quick solution to the ongoing problem," she said

Geez, Michelle. You want quick? Then save yourselves the trip. I'm sure that Hezbollah will accept your surrender from Paris. Keep you out of the way, too.

[goldstategop]

Yep.

And Jews are to leave Hezbollah alone.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em, Down Hezbullies.)

[eeevil conservative]

don't think they need anyone to sew up little white flags.....

[Rocko]

As another Freeper said recently, it's not a World War until the French surrender.

[MinorityRepublican]

France lost 58 to Hezbolla in 83' ...maybe they want to kick some ass. (wishful thinking?)

The French fled after that occurred. What's disappointing was that Ronald Reagan ran out just like that. So we can't just blame the French in that one, ironically.

[Hilltop]

As a stretch, the French Foreign Legion.

To be intellectually honest, all Frenchmen are not cowards.

[xxyyxx]

Such a force would have "no meaning,

Well, nothing has changed in the last 100 years or so.

[Danae]

On the side of the Terrorists right?

Well, maybe that will bring about a faster surrender...

[Tax Government]

How about France offers to be part of a war-fighting force?

[ArmoredCav]

Those guys can deliver some mean headbutts to the Muzzies-- that is before the Muzzies decapitate them.

[righttackle44]

Do they know how to surrender in Arabic?

[Danae]

What am I thinking..... they are calling for a quick end to hostilities, of course they are for Hizbulla... silly me.

Anyone who wants to stop Israel from exterminating this pestilent infestation is FOR the pestilence. That mis-use of terms is almost worthy of Bush himself lol

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

The supporters of Islamist Terrorism are starting to come forward: NY Times, UN, France. These to join China, Russia, and of course Iran and N. Korea. The final alignments in WWIII are forming.