Turkey has agreed in principle to contribute troops to the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, the government said on Monday. "The UN peace force issue was discussed and it was decided in principle that we participate in the mission," government spokesman and Justice Minister Cemil Cicek told a news conference after a cabinet meeting.
"Turkey has played an active role in the Middle East from the start (of the Israel-Hizbollah conflict), and will continue to do so."
Nato member Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country with a secular constitutional system, has good ties with Israel and the Arab states. The United States, Israel and Lebanon have urged Ankara to take part in the peacekeeping force.
Cicek gave no figures, but local news reports suggested this month Turkey could send between 500 and 1,000 non-combat troops. The Foreign Ministry declined to comment on numbers. The government will ask parliament to reconvene this week or next to approve the troops' deployment.
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