[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 34 (Monday, August 28, 2006)]
[Page 1505]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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Statement on France's Decision To Send Troops to Lebanon in Support of 
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701

August 24, 2006

    I welcome President Chirac's decision to send a total of 2,000 
troops to Lebanon and to continue to exercise leadership on the ground 
in enforcing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. This is an 
important step towards finalizing preparations to deploy the United 
Nations Interim Force of Lebanon. I applaud the decision of France, as 
well as the significant pledges from Italy and our other important 
allies. I encourage other nations to make contributions as well. We are 
working with the United Nations and our partners to ensure the rapid 
deployment of this force to help Lebanon's legitimate armed forces 
restore the sovereignty of its democratic Government throughout the 
country and stop Hizballah from acting as a state within a state.

Note: The statement referred to President Jacques Chirac of France.