Date : 02/01/2007
KUN0035 4 GEN 0130 GREAT-BRITAIN /KUNA-LLO2
MIL-LEBANON-MALAYSIA-UNIFIL
100 Malaysian soldiers arrive to join UNIFIL
BEIRUT, Jan 2 (KUNA) -- The first batch of the Malaysian contingent
consisting of 100 soldiers arrived in Lebanon on Tuesday to join a U.N.
peacekeeping force monitoring a truce between Israel and Hezbollah in south
Lebanon.
A security source told KUNA the first contingent would be stationed in the
southern city of Marjeyoun. The second batch would follow on January 15.
Meanwhile, Israel had initially objected to peacekeepers from countries
that do not recognise the Jewish state, but later relaxed that stance.
Both Malaysia and neighbouring Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim
nation, have now sent troops to Lebanon, although neither has diplomatic ties
with Israel.(end)
an.tg
KUNA 021733 Jan 07NNNN