[TIME] Nicholas Blanford - Some of the European contingents in the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon are now seeking the cooperation of the Iran-backed Hizbullah to help protect them from al-Qaeda-inspired militants. Since last month's bomb ambush that killed six Spanish and Colombian UNIFIL soldiers, there have been discreet contacts between some UNIFIL contingents and Hizbullah representatives, including at least one meeting involving Spanish UNIFIL officers. Furthermore, Hizbullah officials have met with Spanish diplomats in Beirut and the Madrid government is believed to have held talks with Iran, Hizbullah's patron, on the safety of its peacekeepers. At least one other European contingent enjoys regular direct contact with Hizbullah.
2007-07-12 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive