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China ups Lebanon force to 1,000 China ups Lebanon force to 1,000
(10 minutes later)
China will increase its peacekeeping presence in Lebanon to 1,000 troops, Premier Wen Jiabao has confirmed.China will increase its peacekeeping presence in Lebanon to 1,000 troops, Premier Wen Jiabao has confirmed.
The move would make China one of the largest contributors to a strengthened UN force designed to keep the peace.The move would make China one of the largest contributors to a strengthened UN force designed to keep the peace.
It would also signal that China, now the world's fourth largest economy, was starting to lift its diplomacy in areas it had previously not seen as vital.It would also signal that China, now the world's fourth largest economy, was starting to lift its diplomacy in areas it had previously not seen as vital.
The UN wants to install 15,000 troops in southern Lebanon as part of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.The UN wants to install 15,000 troops in southern Lebanon as part of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
It follows August's UN-brokered truce which ended 34 days of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. It follows August's UN-brokered truce which ended 34 days of fighting between Israel and the militant Hezbollah movement.
More than 1,100 people - mostly civilians - were killed in Lebanon during the war. More than 150 Israelis - mainly soldiers - were killed. More than 1,100 Lebanese - mostly civilians - were killed during the war. More than 150 Israelis - mainly soldiers - were also killed.
Leading roleLeading role
Mr Wen made the announcement - which had been hinted at last week - following talks in Beijing with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.Mr Wen made the announcement - which had been hinted at last week - following talks in Beijing with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.
"China is very concerned about the situation in Lebanon and hopes it can be fundamentally resolved," Mr Wen said."China is very concerned about the situation in Lebanon and hopes it can be fundamentally resolved," Mr Wen said.
Mr Prodi said it showed China was taking on a greater diplomatic role.Mr Prodi said it showed China was taking on a greater diplomatic role.
"This shows that China is assuming more and more international responsibility," he said."This shows that China is assuming more and more international responsibility," he said.
In the past, China has been reluctant to play leading roles in UN peacekeeping missions.In the past, China has been reluctant to play leading roles in UN peacekeeping missions.
But as its economy has grown more powerful, it has faced calls from the US and EU to play a greater role. It own foreign policy has shifted so that ensuring access to natural resources like oil is now a priority.But as its economy has grown more powerful, it has faced calls from the US and EU to play a greater role. It own foreign policy has shifted so that ensuring access to natural resources like oil is now a priority.
Earlier this year - before the fighting between Israel an Hezbollah - China sent 180 peacekeepers to Lebanon, its first peacekeeping contingent to the Middle East.Earlier this year - before the fighting between Israel an Hezbollah - China sent 180 peacekeepers to Lebanon, its first peacekeeping contingent to the Middle East.