Spain agrees to 1,100 troops for force

[tocqueville]

By DANIEL WOOLLS, Associated Press Writer
8 minutes ago

MADRID, Spain - The Spanish government agreed Friday to contribute up to 1,100 troops to the strengthened U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon and lead one of its multinational brigades.

The decision, made at a weekly Cabinet meeting, is expected to be approved by the parliament in a Thursday vote.

Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said that, assuming the mission is approved, Spain will immediately send marines to Lebanon. They will be replaced in November by other Spanish troops, who will take command of a multinational brigade, she said.

Defense Minister Jose Antonio Alonso is to give details of the deployment to parliament members before the vote.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060901/ap_on_re_mi_ea/mideast_spain