Germany-Lebanon-Tensions
The German government voiced "great concern" over the latest round of political street clashes in the Lebanese capital Beirut, an official said here Wednesday.

Government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm told the press that his country was monitoring the mounting tensions in Lebanon with "great concern and attention."
The chancellery and the foreign ministry are in steady contact with all important actors inside Lebanon and the region, he added.

Wilhelm emphasized the importance of "stability in Lebanon." He went on to say that a positive development in the Arab country was an "important peace component" for the wider Middle East region.

Germany is joined by the US and the European Union in its strong support for Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

There are presently 1,000 German troops stationed aboard eights ships off the Lebanese coast as part of the UNIFIL peacekeeping operation.

The total cost of the German military mission in Lebanon for 2007 and 2008 is estimated at 95 million euros.

Some 13,000 UN peacekeeping and Lebanese army troops are monitoring the fragile truce between Israel and Lebanon's Islamic resistance Hizbollah following Israel's brutal military onslaught in Lebanon in the summer of 2006.

Berlin is also involved in training Lebanese police and customs officials.