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More Chinese troops for Lebanon

Atul Aneja

DUBAI: China has decided to contribute 1,000 troops to Lebanon as part its deepening engagement with resource-rich West Asia, which is Beijing's major energy supplier.

Premier Wen Jiabao has announced that the troops would participate in Lebanon under the U.N. flag. Around 240 troops are participating in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). He said China would spend $250 million towards humanitarian assistance in Lebanon.

China already has a prominent presence in neighbouring Syria, where it has acquired a multi-million dollar stake in the Al Furat oil and gas field. Early this week, China and Syria opened the Sino-Syrian Kawkab Oil Company (SSKOC), which would develop an oil field 600 km northeast of Damascus.

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, who was present at the press conference, where Mr. Wen made the announcement, said China's military participation in Lebanon was an expression of its growing international status. He also said China could play a role in the resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict. "In the future, the Israel-Palestine issue must also be resolved, and all countries must participate in this through the United Nations, and China can also participate," Mr. Prodi said. China also has a close relationship with Iran and is playing a prominent role in defusing the crisis surrounding its nuclear programme. Chinese President Hu Jintao had in April visited Saudi Arabia to cement a growing energy partnership with Riyadh.

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