Tas: Howard urges Europe to "come to the crease" in Mideast

AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2006
Tas: Howard urges Europe to "come to the crease" in Mideast

HOBART, Aug 26 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard says European countries need to play
their part in stabilising tensions in the Middle East.

The United Nations is trying to increase the strength of its 2,000-strong UN Interim
Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to 15,000 to help the Lebanese army assert its authority over
the Iranian-backed Hizbollah militia in southern Lebanon.

About 150 French soldiers arrived in Lebanon by ship yesterday, the second contingent
to join the UN peacekeeping force that is being beefed up to maintain a truce between
Israel and Hizbollah.

But Mr Howard said today European countries needed to contribute more troops.

"I hope that the countries of Europe finally come up to the crease in relation to the
stabilisation force in the Middle East," Mr Howard told the Liberals state conference
in Hobart.

"You need a force of 15,000 to effectively bring about stability in that part of the
world and unless that is forthcoming, then I do not hold optimistic hopes for how that
will work out."

Mr Howard has said he sees no value for Australia in committing troops to the conflict
in Lebanon when they are already heavily committed in numerous overseas conflict zones.

AAP rgr/jt/bwl

KEYWORD: MIDEAST HOWARD

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