Malaysia sent more than 250 troops today to Lebanon to take part in the UN peacekeeping force, despite a tussle over the involvement of countries that do not recognise Israel.

They are the final contingent from the Muslim-majority country to join the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) after 108 personnel were deployed earlier this month.

Defence Minister Najib Razak said the six-month mission would also involve Malaysia contributing 17 amoured personnel carriers, the state Bernama news agency reported.

"Our willingness to send these assets is in line with the country's commitment to the United Nations to send Malaysian forces all over the world to ensure that peace at the international level is maintained," he said.

The United Nations last October approved the deployment of Malaysian peacekeepers to UNIFIL, which was expanded after a conflict between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite militant movement Hezbollah in July and August.

Malaysia initially offered 1,000 soldiers, citing past peacekeeping experience in Bosnia and Somalia.

Israel initially objected to countries which do not recognise it from taking part in the peacekeeping force.

Malaysia, which chairs the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and had strongly criticised Israel's offensive in Lebanon, only received the go-ahead to send less than 400 troops.