Berlusconi wrote:

It will be nice to see if they accept the new use-of-force review.. or the run away..

Berlusconi Announces Use-of-force Review for UNIFIL Troops

Silvio Berlusconi announced Wednesday he would be reviewing the rules of engagement for Italian forces serving with U.N. forces in Lebanon, saying the troops could not react to situations.
The incoming PM assured reporters at a Rome press conference that Italy would still keep its 2,500-strong presence in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the largest contingent of any contributing nation.

"We pledge our support for the strengthening of democracy (in Lebanon) ... but we want to look at the rules of engagement," said Berlusconi, the victor of this week's elections in Italy.

"Our soldiers find themselves in a unique situation ... because they cannot react. We will re-examine the rules of engagement," he added.

UNIFIL is deployed in southern Lebanon to keep the peace between Hizbullah and Israel after the summer war of 2006.

There are 13,000 troops in full, but the precise circumstances defining their use of force and rules of engagement are secret.

The outgoing Defense Minister, Arturo Parisi, said "there are no rules of engagement specific to Italian forces in Lebanon but those valid for all the UNIFIL mission, which is a U.N. mission," according to ANSA news agency.

According to the Italian defense ministry's website, UNIFIL can use force against attempts to prevent it accomplishing its mission, to protect U.N. personnel, aid workers and U.N. property.(AFP)

www.naharnet.com . . .