Berlin - The German cabinet decided Wednesday to extend the mandate for German troops serving with the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.

The deployment of naval personnel and ships to halt arms smuggling from the Mediterranean would be extended for 15 months, rather than the usual 12, to take it past the German elections at the end of September next year, government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said.

The maximum number of personnel is to be cut to 1,200 from 1,400. Currently two minesweepers and a supply ship are deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The armed deployment is Germany's first in the region since World War II and came at the express request of the Israeli government following the 34-day war in July and August 2006 between Israeli forces and the Hezbollah movement.

The German parliament has yet to vote on the cabinet decision but is seen as certain to back the extension. (dpa)