Wary Europeans edge towards deal on UN Lebanon force

Europe’s tortuous efforts to pull together contributions for the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon could edge forward tomorrow when EU diplomats meet to coordinate positions after Italy’s conditional offer to lead the force.

But diplomats said the meeting was unlikely to produce a breakthrough. It would focus on assessing the requirements of the peacekeeping mission. However, there was some expectation that more nations would come forward with at least tentative offers of troops.