Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz announced on Saturday that Pakistan is sending troops to Lebanon, for the purpose of clearing the country of landmines, cluster bombs and other explosive devices. "After consultations we have decided to send a contingent of Pakistan Army personnel. The number of troops is not yet decided, but I think they will be in the hundreds," Mr Aziz told a press conference at Prime Minister's House.He said the Lebanese president, prime minister, parliament speaker and other officials had asked for troops for humanitarian and de-mining assistance during his recent trip to Beirut. The Organisation of Islamic Conference secretary general had also asked Pakistan to send troops, when the prime minister visited him in Istanbul before travelling on to Beirut.