ANKARA - The first batch of 261 Turkish military engineers set sail for Lebanon Thursday to join the enlarged UN peacekeeping operation policing a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the general staff said.
NATO member Turkey is the first Muslim country to contribute troops to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia and Qatar have also pledged soldiers.
A total of 95 personnel, who boarded a navy ship from the southern port city of Mersin, are set to dock in Beirut on Friday, military officials said.
The remaining members of the team will fly to Beirut on Friday, Anatolia news agency reported.
The Turkish contingent, which includes 237 soldiers and 24 civilians, will be stationed at a small village, lying seven-and-a-half kilometers (nearly five miles) to the southeast of the port city of Tyre in southern Lebanon.
They are expected to work mostly on the reconstruction of roads and bridges.
Turkey is not expected to contribute any more ground troops for the UN force.
A Turkish frigate is already serving in the German-led naval task force patrolling the Lebanese coast to prevent arms being smuggled to Hezbollah militia, and the navy has said it will also send two corvettes to the war-torn country.
The Turkish government has said it will contribute a total of 681 troops to UNIFIL, including those on board the ships.
The Turkish parliament authorised the deployment of troops to Lebanon last month despite objections and street protests.
10/19/2006 14:09 GMT