German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses a news conference after a meeting in Berlin August 17, 2006. (Xinhua Photo/Reuters) Photo Gallery >>>

    BERLIN, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday that Germany would not provide ground troops to a United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon.

    However, speaking to reporters after meeting parliament leaders, Merkel said that her country may provide naval security as part of its effort to keep peace in the region.

    Earlier on Thursday, German Defense Minister Franz-Josef Jung made a similar statement.

    During a visit to a transport helicopter regiment in the town of Rheine, Jung said that his country's contribution to an international peacekeeping contingent would likely be naval forces and not land-based soldiers.

    The defense minister said Germany could participate in a peacekeeping force by sending sailors to help secure the border between Syria and Lebanon, said a report by the German radio Deutsche Welle.

    Germany now has around 8,000 soldiers participating in peacekeeping operations around the globe, including Afghanistan and Congo. Enditem