Israel seeks "complimentary" NATO mission

Defense Minister Amir Peretz approved the use of NATO forces in south Lebanon Sunday morning in a meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The German foreign minister was first on a list of several who were scheduled to meet with government officials today as they work to open a political front alongside the current military operation.

"Due to the weakness of the Lebanese army, we support the deployment in south Lebanon of a multi-national force with broad authority," said Peretz. The Defense Minister told reporters after the meeting that the force would be comprised of NATO soldiers.

Peretz told Steinmeier that Israel was willing to consider diplomatic options in an effort to end the Re-Engagement War. However, he said, military goals would not be sacrificed in the process.

"We are continuing military operations but also intend to create as broad a diplomatic operation as possible," he said. "We definitely see a combination of the existing military activity and a complimentary international operation." Read more

db: You know the sort of force - with 'robust' rules of engagement to facilitate the slaughter of more Muslims - who will inevitably see this force as an extension of the IDF. John Bolton thinks it's a good idea - what more evidence do you need? The possibility that Europeans may be dragged into this Neoconservative trap is deeply worrying. I wouldn't put it past Blair, despite current UK military overstretch, to advocate the sending of a 'token' British force.