Ahmet Sezer, President of Turkey

Lawmakers will debate sending peacekeepers to UN force in Lebanon at a Cabinet meeting today, though no decision is anticipated. Some say Turkey is likely to wait until Annan’s visit before any decision

The government's plans to commit troops to a U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon may be complicated amid a growing chorus at the top of the state opposed to sending troops.

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer assumed a firm stance toward any troop contribution by clearly saying that he opposed sending Turkish troops to Lebanon. 

Sezer's remarks at a reception given after a hand-over ceremony of the Land Forces Command opened the way for speculations that the military, which has so far been tightlipped on a troop contribution, was backing the president. The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has also come out against dispatching troops to Lebanon.

However, it seems growing opposition to a possible dispatch of troops has not deterred the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which is keen to boost Turkey's role in the Middle East. 

"We don't have the luxury of closing our eyes and saying, ‘I'm not participating,'” AKP's Dengir Mir Mehmet Fırat said.

All sides concerned are urging Turkey to take part in the U.N. mandate. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said they would welcome it if Turkey decided to send a contingent. 

The Cabinet is expected to discuss sending peacekeepers to the U.N. force, though no decision is anticipated. Some say Turkey is likely to wait until U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's visit scheduled for Sept. 6 before making a decision. News reports said yesterday the AKP is considering giving the Parliament floor to Annan in an attempt to convince lawmakers to agree to a troop contribution.

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