Spain considers sending 200 more soldiers to Lebanon

MADRID, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Spain is considering sending 200 more soldiers to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), raising the country's total force there to 1,100, the Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

This plan requires permission from the United Nations and Spain's legislature, the Congress.

UNIFIL is currently headed by Italian Force Commander and employs 12,000 soldiers and 1,000 civilians.

Spanish general Alberto Asarta is likely to take over command of the force soon.

In consequence, as widely expected, Spain will take over responsibility for transport, logistics and intelligence from Italy.

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero will meet Spanish officers in southern Lebanon on Friday during his first visit to the Middle East.

UNIFIL was created by the United Nations Security Council in 1978 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and restore peace and security.