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Source: http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/263AC669907E7C16C22571CE002356A0
UN Gets Tentative Pledges of 3,500 Troops, Sets Rules of Engagement
[AP/AFP/Naharnet-Lebanon] The UN got pledges of 3,500 troops for an expanded UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, but it was unclear whether the soldiers represented the right mix of countries and units and could deploy very quickly. Bangladesh offered 2,000 troops. "Very much the issue is under what circumstances our troops have to engage in hostile offensive activities," said UN Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown. "If (small groups) do not voluntarily disarm when confronted by our troops and if they try to forcefully resist disarmament we will indeed employ force ourselves to disarm them," he said. "The role of this force is not large-scale disarmament of Hizballah, but rather policing a political agreement where the Lebanese government and Hizballah have agreed to disarm," Malloch Brown said.