The UN accepted on one condition Bulgaria’s suggested participation in the peacekeeping operations in Southern Lebanon.

Bulgaria offered to send a frigate for two months, as well as a team of no more than 10 people medical staff, Dnevnik newspaper reported.

Last week Bulgaria received the UN response that the frigate would be needed for a period of six months. Dnevnik reported UN was surprised by the options offered as Bulgaria stated initially its readiness to send troops.

According to diplomatic sources the Bulgarian participation in Lebanon was affected by ‘political games’ preceding the upcoming presidential elections. The electorate of the ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) was against military operations abroad, which produced the change, Dnevnik reported.

Parties in Bulgaria’s ruling coalition had different views on the peacekeeping operation in Lebanon. The National Movement Simeon II (NMSII) insisted on more ‘visible’ participation.

Worries over the sending of troops to Lebanon were rekindled on September 3 when the first assault aimed at the Kabul airport occurred in Afghanistan. Bulgarian troops are responsible for the security of the establishment. No Bulgarian soldiers were harmed, Dnevnik reported.