Turkish PM urges Muslim states to join UN Lebanon force

ISTANBUL—Muslim countries have a historic duty to join the enlarged UN force in Lebanon, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan said, adding that the number of contributing countries should match that of European states.
"We should not forget that a historic duty has fallen on us," Erdogan said at the inauguration late Sunday of the headquarters of the Organization of the Islamic Conference's (OIC) Youth Forum here, the Anatolia news agency reported.
"If 22 members of the European Union are joining, at least as many OIC countries need to join as well," Erdogan added.
He said Muslim countries could not remain indifferent when instability and clashes take hold in the Middle East.
"We all know that it is never enough to just wish for peace. Great responsibilities fall on all countries, societies and especially international organisations to protect peace and make it permenant," Erdogan said.
The Turkish parliament is set to vote Tuesday on a government motion authorising the deployment of troops to Lebanon as part of the expanded UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), despite opposition reservations that safety guarantees are not yet in place.
Under the motion, Turkey will contribute a naval force to patrol the eastern Mediterranean, send an unspecified number of troops, help train the Lebanese army and support allied countries in naval and air transport.
Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) holds an absolute majority in the 550-seat parliament, making it highly likely that the motion will be adopted.—Agencies