Qatar to send troops to Lebanon

Doha: Qatar became the first Arab country to commit troops to the expanded UN force in southern Lebanon on Monday.

The troop offer came on the same day that the country's national air carrier, Qatar Airways, also landed a plane at Beirut airport despite Israel's blockade on Lebanon.

Qatari Foreign Minister Shaikh Hamad Al Thani said that 200-300 troops would join the UN force and a civilian airliner would also be sent to Beirut.

Qatar has low-level ties with Israel as well as key links with the United States, hosting a major US military base.

The announcement came during UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan?s visit to Doha.

Speaking to reporters, Annan said the United Nations hoped the expanded force would be a "manifestation of international solidarity" with Lebanon. He also urged Israel to lift its siege.

"We are using the UN influence to lift the embargo especially as Lebanon is trying to rebuild ... It has to be allowed to rebuild. I urge Israel to cooperate," he said.