MIDDLE EAST: French president Jacques Chirac has opened the way for the formation of a 15,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping force for Lebanon by promising France would contribute 2,000 troops.
Other European countries, which have been hesitant about offering soldiers, are likely to follow France's lead by making firm commitments at a meeting in Brussels today.
The French government was heavily involved in the UN negotiations that led to the ceasefire 12 days ago, but Mr Chirac was derided, especially in the US, when he announced last week that France would contribute only 200 troops to the international peacekeeping force.
There were conflicting views last night on whether Mr Chirac increased the force because of the criticism or had always intended to make a significant contribution. Whatever the reason, it has been a public relations disaster for France, whose reputation in the US has sunk back to the levels of 2003 in the run-up to the war in Iraq.
Mr Chirac insisted last night, in a televised address, that he had been awaiting the necessary guarantees from the UN about the mandate and rules of engagement. He does not see the international force's role as the disarmament of the Shia militia Hizbullah, as demanded by Israel.
Although France fears confrontation with Hizbullah - 58 French troops died after intervention in Lebanon two decades ago - it is also worried about Israeli attacks.
At a European Union foreign ministers meeting today, Italy will reiterate its offer of 3,000 troops and Spain could pledge about 1,000.
Germany has offered troops mainly in support roles and smaller countries such as Finland have promised contributions. It would be one of the biggest and fastest EU deployments.
Malaysia, Indonesia and Bangladesh have offered troops but Israel ruled out the presence of countries with which it has no diplomatic relations.
A British official said he hoped Israel's objections were only tactical and argued that a precedent had been set by the existence of Unifil (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), a 2,000-strong UN force on the border, which has contained troops from countries with which it has no diplomatic ties. Mr Chirac said last night he hoped France would command the new force.
Romano Prodi, the Italian prime minister, said yesterday that US president George Bush told him he took a "positive" view of an Italian offer to lead the force.
Among compromises under discussion are that France, which has command of Unifil until February, could lead the new force on the ground, while Italy could take command of the overall operation at UN headquarters in New York.