German navy will help Lebanese army: Merkel

"The navy will help on one hand to prevent the smuggling of weapons (to Hezbollah) and on the other will help the Lebanese army to protect its coast and border," Merkel said Thursday after holding talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

She said Germany wanted to help Lebanon rebuild and create a "sovereign, strong and democratic country".

Lebanon was heavily bombed by Israeli forces fighting the Hezbollah militia in July and August.

Germany is sending about 2,400 military personnel to Lebanon, including a 1,400-strong naval contingent, in the country's first military mission in the Middle East since World War II.

The German navy -- the first ships are expected to arrive in the Middle East within days -- is taking charge of the maritime component of the UNIFIL international peacekeeping force.

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