Germany's MPs back Lebanon force

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The German parliament has authorised sending German warships to the eastern Mediterranean as part of a UN peacekeeping mission for Lebanon.

In a 442-152 vote, MPs in the lower house of parliament - the Bundestag - backed the government's plan.

Up to 2,400 navy personnel will patrol Lebanon's coast to prevent arms from reaching Hezbollah militants.

But Germany is not sending ground troops to the region because of sensitivities over its Nazi past.

In August, a UN-brokered truce ended 34 days of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

More than 1,100 people - mostly civilians - were killed in Lebanon during the war. In Israel, more than 150 people - mainly soldiers - were killed.

'Particular responsibility'

Last week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel described as "historic" the government's decision to deploy warships in the eastern Mediterranean.

Mrs Merkel said it "was made in view both of our particular responsibility for Israel's right to exist, and for a solid solution for peace in the region".

Berlin's contingent will be the second-largest in the UN force of 15,000 after Italy's, which is 3,000 soldiers strong.

The issue of sending German troops to the Middle East - some 60 years after the Nazis wiped out millions of Jews - has divided the country.

Partly because of concerns that German troops might be drawn into fighting against Israeli soldiers, Berlin has refused to follow other European nations in sending ground troops to Lebanon.