Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao confirmed on Monday that his country would raise its peacekeeping presence in Lebanon to 1,000 soldiers. "China has decided to increase its peacekeeping force in Lebanon to 1,000," Wen told reporters at a joint news conference in Beijing with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.
"China is very concerned about the situation in Lebanon and hopes it can be fundamentally resolved," Wen stated.
According to Reuters, some 200 Chinese engineers already work for the U.N. in Lebanon clearing mines and unexploded ordnance.
Wen also said that China would increase its humanitarian assistance to 40 million yuan ($5 million), half of which has already been provided to Lebanon.
On his part, Prodi hailed China for sending more peacekeepers. "This shows that China is assuming more and more international responsibility," Prodi told reporters. "With China's assistance, peace can come sooner to Lebanon," he said.
