France, Douchebag Nation

The French have really pissed me off lately, and I'm not a hater. First, they pushed through the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire by leading everyone to believe that French troops would provide the "backbone" and command for the international force that would take insert into southern Lebanon. Then, after the resolution was passed, they quickly backed out of the lead role - going from talk of 3500 troops down to 200 "military engineers." Fuck you, France.

Their shenanigans continue today, with this story about how the French think that 15,000 troops would be too many:

The number was "completely excessive", Chirac told a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris.

"It doesn't really make sense. So what is the right number, 4,000, 5,000 or 6,000? I don't know," he said.

Italy has offered up to 3,000 troops and France boosted its pledge to 2,000 on the eve of the Brussels meeting. Belgium pledged to take part in the force on Friday. Other possible troop contributors include Spain, Poland and Finland.

About 150 French soldiers arrived by ship in Lebanon's southern port of Naqoura on Friday to join 50 extra troops already sent as part of France's initial offer of 200.

It's good to hear that the French have been shamed back up to 2000 troops, but it's still disgraceful. Totally jerkleague.