France pledges up to 5,000 troops; Malaysia willing to send 1,000 troops.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFfrench soldier 298 NATO(photo credit: NATO)Despite complications, at least 15 countries have expressed a willingness to contribute troops to an international stabilization force in southern Lebanon if one is formed after a cease-fire and under a clear UN mandate. At least nine other nations say they're ready to provide support; six others remain undecided about their roles. The breakdown, with details where available:
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Deploy troops:
AUSTRALIA - "very limited" contingent
BRAZIL - no specifics
CHILE - no specifics
FRANCE - no more than 5,000 troops
GHANA - no specifics
INDONESIA - 1 battalion (about 800 troops)
ITALY - no specifics
LITHUANIA - no specifics
MALAYSIA - 1,000 troops
NIGERIA - no specifics
NORWAY - 1 squadron of 4 missile torpedo boats, nearly 100 marines
PORTUGAL - no specifics
ROMANIA - no specifics
SPAIN - no specifics
TURKEY - "significant" contribution likely; no specifics
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Provide support:
BRITAIN - possible technical assistance
CYPRUS _ transport humanitarian aid; possible staging point for forces
CZECH REPUBLIC - humanitarian aid, firefighting equipment
DENMARK - navy ship possible
GREECE - help transport aid
JAPAN - humanitarian aid
POLAND - keep 200 U.N. peacekeepers already in Lebanon
SLOVAKIA - doctors, humanitarian aid
UNITED STATES - train and equip Lebanese army
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Undecided:
FINLAND
GERMANY
PAKISTAN
RUSSIA
SLOVENIA
SWEDEN
