After the ridiculousness and absolute unreliability of France regarding the Israel-Lebanon conflict, Italy has stepped forward as the leader. Offering 3,000 troops -- the largest of any nation -- Italy has now offered to lead the force that is to monitor the border and Hezbollah.

Should anyone believe France ever again? I mean how can you make plans for a cease fire, stand behind it and then when it comes time to act become a spineless coward? Talk about making yourself more irrelevant,

NY Times

Responding to entreaties from the leaders of Israel and Lebanon, Italy is prepared to step forward to lead the expanded United Nations peacekeeping force that has been proposed for war-torn southern Lebanon, the Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi told reporters today.

Italy would take the place of France, which so far has sent only 200 additional troops to help with peacekeeping, far short of the 2,500 to 4,000 it was expected to offer. Italy has promised 3,000 troops, if other European nations also commit forces and if clear rules of engagement can be laid down. But whether those conditions would be met remains in question.

France has come off as absolutely despicable in this latest issue.

I still think it is all a worthless cause in the end and that Hezbollah will continue it's terrorist activity.

Tipped by: Outside the Beltway and PoliBlog