http://www.stratfor.com/products/premium/read_article.php?selected=Situation%20Reports&sitrep=1&id=272692Lebanon: Foreign Ministers Hold Talks
August 16, 2006 13 29 GMT
French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy met Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul in Beirut, Lebanon, on Aug. 16 to discuss sending troops to participate in a U.N. border force as part of the cease-fire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel. Douste-Blazy also met with Lebanese parliamentarian Saad Hariri and Foreign Minister Fawzi Sallukh. Gul also spoke with Sallukh and Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. France, Turkey and Malaysia have committed to providing troops to the U.N. force on paper. Turkey has said it wwill not participate in any disarmament missions.
Israel: Hezbollah Fighters Could Join Army
August 15, 2006 17 24 GMT
Head of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Northern Command Maj. Gen. Udi Adam said Aug. 15 there is a threat of Hezbollah guerrillas joining the Lebanese military while IDF turns over control of southern Lebanon. In a briefing to members of the Knesset Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee, Adam said more than 550 Hezbollah fighters, including many senior commanders, were killed during the 34-day conflict and that Hezbollah capabilities were badly damaged.