UN troops keep south Lebanon calm

Beirut: If you want yoga lessons, herbal medicine for a sick cow or help clearing cluster bombs in south Lebanon, try United Nations troops - who have also kept the peace between Israel and Hezbollah for the past year.

The south has been notably calm since fighting stopped on August 14, two days after the UN Security Council mandated an expanded, tougher Unifil force to oversee an Israeli withdrawal and help newly deployed Lebanese troops secure the area.

Hezbollah fighters, who fired thousands of rockets into Israel during the 33-day conflict, now have no visible armed presence in the Unifil zone south of the Litani River.

Israeli warplanes still violate Lebanese airspace almost daily, but few shots have been fired in anger apart from a brief clash between Israeli and Lebanese troops on February 7 and two rockets that hit Israel June 17. Hezbollah denied firing them.

No challenge

"The outcome of the first year is very positive," Unifil's commander, Major General Claudio Graziano, said. "There's still a lot to be done. Its a young mission."

Neither Israel nor Hezbollah has challenged Unifil, which now has 11,500 troops and a 2,000-strong naval force from 30-odd nations. But a car bomb that killed six Spanish peacekeepers on June 24 was a bloody reminder of dangers faced by the force.

The attack, whose perpetrators remain unidentified, prompted UN troops to step up their protective measures and underlined their need to foster good relations with the local populace.

Hence the yoga and veterinary services offered by Unifil's Indian battalion, as well as the work of Chinese demining teams and other medical, humanitarian and reconstruction efforts.

Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said the situation in south Lebanon had improved drastically with Unifil's help. Regev accused Iran and Syria of continuing to arm Hezbollah.

Hezbollah denies any military activity or weapons smuggling south of the Litani, but says it has replenished its arsenal.

Lebanon's government has asked the Security Council to renew Unifil's mandate when it expires on August 31.