Merkel vows no combat troops for UN mission in Lebanon

Germany will also contribute to the UN military mission in Lebanon but won't provide combat troops, the press quoted German Chancellor Angela Merkel as saying today.

"We cannot be the odd one out," Merkel said Thursday evening after her talks with heads of the parliamentary faction in Berlin.

She added Germany was "basically ready" to join the UN mission, mainly to police Lebanon's Mediterranean coast.

As part of the operation, Berlin would also offer a naval hospital ship.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced his country will also provide swift humanitarian assistance to Lebanon.

German political parties remain divided over the deployment of troops to the Mideast.