This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/5315712.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Turkey in vote on Lebanon troops Turkey approves Lebanon troops
(about 2 hours later)
Turkey's parliament is due to take a controversial decision on whether to send a force to join the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. Turkey's parliament has approved the deployment of its troops in Lebanon to join to the UN peacekeeping mission.
Lawmakers have been recalled from the summer recess for the emergency vote, despite widespread opposition. Lawmakers were recalled from the summer recess for the emergency vote, despite widespread opposition.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the capital Ankara, calling on the politicians not to send troops to fight against fellow Muslims.Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the capital Ankara, calling on the politicians not to send troops to fight against fellow Muslims.
Several demonstrators have been detained. Several were detained. UN chief Kofi Annan arrived in Ankara as the parliament began debating the motion.
UN chief Kofi Annan arrived in Ankara as the parliament was debating the motion to send troops to Lebanon.
This is Mr Annan's last stop in a regional tour to raise support.This is Mr Annan's last stop in a regional tour to raise support.
From Egypt, he suggested Israel might shortly lift its air and sea blockade of Lebanon.From Egypt, he suggested Israel might shortly lift its air and sea blockade of Lebanon.
"I don't want to raise any false hopes, but I hope that in the next 48 hours we will have some... constructive, positive news," he said after meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak."I don't want to raise any false hopes, but I hope that in the next 48 hours we will have some... constructive, positive news," he said after meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Israel has maintained an air and sea embargo since the 14 August ceasefire ended its 34-day conflict with Hezbollah fighters.Israel has maintained an air and sea embargo since the 14 August ceasefire ended its 34-day conflict with Hezbollah fighters.
Domestic oppositionDomestic opposition
Turkish troops would join a UN force tasked with keeping the peace between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas in south Lebanon.Turkish troops would join a UN force tasked with keeping the peace between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas in south Lebanon.
The government believes involvement in the Lebanon mission would bolster its role within the Middle East and advance its ambition to join the European Union.The government believes involvement in the Lebanon mission would bolster its role within the Middle East and advance its ambition to join the European Union.
The country's foreign minister said on Monday that the number of troops to be deployed would not exceed 1,000.The country's foreign minister said on Monday that the number of troops to be deployed would not exceed 1,000.
But the move to send Turkish soldiers faces broad domestic opposition, with many unwilling to engage in a situation in which they could be fighting against fellow Muslims.But the move to send Turkish soldiers faces broad domestic opposition, with many unwilling to engage in a situation in which they could be fighting against fellow Muslims.
In a bid to quell fears, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan assured the public that the soldiers would withdraw if they were asked to disarm Hezbollah.In a bid to quell fears, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan assured the public that the soldiers would withdraw if they were asked to disarm Hezbollah.
On Monday, Qatar became the first Arab state to commit troops to the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, offering 200 to 300 military personnel.On Monday, Qatar became the first Arab state to commit troops to the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, offering 200 to 300 military personnel.
The UN is installing 15,000 peacekeepers in southern Lebanon as part of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.The UN is installing 15,000 peacekeepers in southern Lebanon as part of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.