Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signaled that Turkey might participate in the international peacekeeping force proposed for southern Lebanon. Erdogan told CNN International's Larry King that Turkish soldiers could take a role in the prospective international force for the south of Lebanon if a ceasefire was introduced.
"We hope all the relevant parties will take steps to ensure the introduction of a ceasefire. The peace process could commence after the introduction of the ceasefire," Erdogan said. At Wednesday's summit in Rome to discuss the current war in the Lebanon, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, backed only by Britain's Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett, rejected calls for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon - saying that a ceasefire could only be implemented when it was likely to be "sustainable."
The international community is discussing the establishment of a 15,000-strong international military contingent in southern Lebanon, which would be expected to ensure peace between Israel and Lebanon. The US and Israel are hoping that such a force will disarm the Hezbollah organization.
Speaking on Larry King Live, Erdogan criticized Israel for using disproportionate force in the region. At least 600 civilians have been killed in the Israeli attacks on Lebanon following the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah.
The foreign Ministers of some European Union countries, pro-American Arab states, the US Secretary of State and UN officials convened in Rome on Wednesday to discuss a ceasefire in Lebanon in addition to the issue of a peacekeeping force.
It has been widely reported that Turkey may undertake a leadership role in the proposed United Nations peacekeeping contingent in Lebanon.
Regarding the fight against the PKK in northern Iraq, Erdogan said Turkey, USA and Iraq should cooperate to oppose the PKK.
Source: Zaman
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