Europe's tortuous efforts to pull together contributions for the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon could edge forward today when EU diplomats meet to coordinate positions after Italy's conditional offer to lead the force.
But diplomats said the meeting was unlikely to produce a breakthrough. It would focus on assessing the requirements of the peace-keeping mission.
However, there was some expectation more nations would come forward with offers of troops.
"It's not a decision-making meeting but more a survey of the situation, with a certain urgency," Swedish Foreign Minister Jan Eliasson said.
Europeans - haunted by casualties on missions from Bosnia to Rwanda and in Lebanon itself in the 1980s - are wary of committing troops without guarantees they will not get sucked into a poorly prepared and meekly mandated operation.
They remain cautious despite a mounting sense of urgency which has sparked appeals from US President George Bush and the United Nations for a speedy deployment of troops to shore up the shaky ceasefire.
Although Italy offered to lead the force and provide up to 3,000 of the estimated 15,000 troops needed for the mission, Rome has made clear it wants safeguards that its troops will not be caught in a crossfire between Israel and Hezbollah.
"From Israel, we expect a renewed commitment, and this time really binding, to respect the ceasefire," Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema told Rome daily La Repubblica.
"It is right to insist Hezbollah put down arms, but we cannot send soldiers into Lebanon if the Israeli Defence Forces continue to shoot."
D'Alema has asked Finland, which currently holds the European Union's rotating presidency, to organise a meeting of foreign ministers from the 25-nation bloc to bring a breakthrough in the efforts to muster troops. Sweden's Eliasson said that meeting may take place on Friday.
Greece said it would contribute naval forces, but not ground troops.
Government spokesman Nikos Roussopoulos said Greece's contribution will include a frigate, a helicopter, landing craft, special forces and support staff. Its main purpose will be to inspect shipping to Lebanese ports.
Israel has rejected offers of participation by three other Muslim nations - Malaysia, Bangladesh and Indonesia - because they do not recognise the Jewish state.
The Europeans demand a clear mandate from the UN mission that gives their soldiers the right to defend themselves without dragging them into the conflict.
Hundreds of foreign troops were killed in previous efforts to pacify Lebanon, including 58 French paratroopers slain in a 1983 Hezbollah attack that also killed 241 Americans.
