First reinforcement of UN peacekeepers lands

Two small boats carrying French soldiers, the first reinforcement of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, arrived ashore today.

Local TV channels showed live video of two inflatable dinghies motoring ashore from a French warship anchored in the Mediterranean near Naqoura, about three miles from the Israeli border.

They landed in a harbour next to the headquarters of United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon, or UNIFIL, in Naqoura.