h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

>>Can't quite grasp what that has to do with the French requiring clear rules of engagement before committing large bodies of troops to be shot at by both sides has to do with it, though.<<

BTW I made pretty much the same point myself in post 5

>>There haven't even been proper rules of engagement sorted out yet. France are only too aware of the quagmire waiting there.<<

They seem to be sorting out their exit strategy though. They lead the force (unifil 2) until Feb, when they hand over to the Italians.

Interesting report on BBC News this morning. Touring villages in southern Lebanon and showing all the destroyed Hizbollah weapons in the ruins of civilian houses, lots of them. Also being told by locals of resentment against Hezbollah for bringing this destruction. One young man interviewed on camera saying that 90% of local people hate Hezbollah for starting this.

A totally different slant from the one we're drip-fed on a regular basis.

6 months is about standard for leading a UN force, I think you'll find, SWL.

One of the many reasons Bush was desperate to get the UN involved in Iraq after the event because it meant he could start bringing his troops back home in a finite period.

exactly Blues. Probably another of the failed assumptions that the Bush administration made about "post-war" Iraq.