Tensions reignited as Unifil fails to materialise
The Lebanese army is still waiting for international troops to arrive in significant numbers
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Wednesday, 23, Aug 2006 07:43
The ceasefire between Israel and Hizbullah militants in Lebanon appears at its most fragile since being announced, with the Israeli foreign minister saying that time is running out for an international force to arrive in the volatile region.
Tzipi Livni made her comments after talks with EU officials, with the UN so far let down in terms of troop numbers committed to the its international force in Lebanon (Unifil), a key element on which the international community agreed upon the ten-day old ceasefire.
"Time is working against those who would like to see this resolution applied. We are now in the most sensitive and explosive position," said Ms Livni in Brussels.
Meanwhile, the Syrian president, Bashar Assad, is expected to later say that he would see a mobilisation of UN troops on the border between his country and Lebanon as a "hostile" action.
"First, this means creating a hostile condition between Syria and Lebanon," he will later say in an interview with Dubai-based TV station.
"Second, it is a hostile move toward Syria and naturally it will create problems."
The Lebanese prime minister, Fouad Siniora, is also dissatisfied with the post-ceasefire situation, calling on the US to pressurise Israel into ending its sea and air blockade, which it has enforced since hostilities first broke out last month.
The UN says a force of between 15,000 and 20,000 is needed to properly implement the security council resolution in southern Lebanon, but EU countries have been reluctant to commit troops in any real numbers.
There have been deaths on both sides of the conflict since last Monday's ceasefire, with Israel saying that one soldier was killed and three injured by a landmine laid by its own forces last night.