The Dutch parliament remains divided over Lebanon's request for a Dutch navy vessel for the UN peace mission in Lebanon, Dutch media reported Wednesday.

The Lebanese government put the request to Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot when he visited Beirut on Tuesday.

The request would probably mean a frigate with a crew of 150, according to Dutch media.

The conservative VVD, a ruling coalition partner, wants more details first about the disarmament of Hezbollah in south Lebanon, Radio Netherlands reported.

One VVD parliament member was quoted as saying that the Netherlands should not take part in a "mission impossible."

The ruling Christian Democrats were not particularly keen either. The party said this was a complex mission which would require great care and judgment.

The opposition Labor Party said sending a frigate was a possibility as long as the UN force had a solid mandate.

The government will discuss possible Dutch participation on Friday. No final decision is yet expected, according to De Telegraaf newspaper.

Dutch Defense Minister Henk Kamp said he is willing to give the proposal serious consideration in Friday's cabinet meeting, added the Trouw newspaper.

Bot will hold talks in Brussels with his colleagues from other European Union member states and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Friday about the peacekeeping force.

Lebanon is anxious to deploy an international naval unit to patrol the coast in an effort to prevent the illegal supply of arms to Hezbollah, a task currently carried out by Israel's navy with patrols along the coast.

The Netherlands has made clear that it would not commit ground troops to the UN mission as the country's armed forces are already tasked with various overseas deployments, primarily in Afghanistan.

Source: Xinhua