Special report: Israel-Lebanon conflicts [Gallery] [Videos]

    MADRID, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish government decided on Friday to send about 1,100 Spanish troops to join the enlarged peacekeeping UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

    Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said at a press conference that the deployment will initially include a Marine Corps battalion that will be deployed "immediately" in southern Lebanon to reinforce UNIFIL.

    She also said the government proposal still needs the approval of the parliament, which will vote on it next Thursday.

    Under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, UNIFIL will be expanded from 2,000 to 15,000 troops to monitor a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah group.

    Spain's participation in UNIFIL is an action that enjoys international approval, and has been authorized by both parties in the Middle East conflict and legalized by the United Nations, said the deputy prime minister.

    Spain has a total of 2,129 troops involved in peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, Bosnia, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Baltic countries. Enditem