Parliament yesterday extended the term of stay for Turkish troops in Lebanon by another year. Around 300 hundred Turkish troops are based in southern Lebanon under the auspices of the United Nations.The government's decree that was introduced to Parliament yesterday reads as follows: the UN has already started necessary works to extend the mandate of UNIFIL by Aug. 31, 2007. Turkey successfully contributed to UNIFIL's land and sea operations to maintain the peace and security in the region.
Salih Kapusuz, the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) deputy parliamentary group leader told the Turkish Daily News � the term for our troops ends in September. Therefore we should extend their term now. This decree requests authorization to extend the stay.�
Parliament first approved a decree last year in September following a UN Security Council resolution to establish a multinational force in Lebanon.
ANAVATAN: Troops to prime ministry
The opposition Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) deputy parliamentary group leader Süleyman Sarıbaş said they don't support the decree, adding, �We should send our troops to the prime ministry. Because this is the place supporting Al-Qadi who is listed as a terrorist in a UN document.�
Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Onur Öymen said that the decree should be approved by the new Parliament after the general elections.
Turkish Daily News, LINK
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