Approximately 50 UN member states, including Ireland, have been given a three-hour briefing on the operational details of the proposed Lebanese peacekeeping mission by the world body's senior military adviser, Lieut Gen R K Mehta.
Attempting to answer complaints about a lack of clarity in the operation, the Indian army general, who now works in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations at the UN, went to considerable lengths to show how much detailed work had been done on the concept of operations (how the mission will function on the ground) and rules of engagement.
As a follow up, member states were due to receive lengthy technical documents on these two topics last night. But prospects for the mission still look bleak in the absence of a major troop-contributing country, such as France, that is prepared to provide the central core of the proposed 15,000-strong force.
Giving his reaction to the French decision to contribute only 200 extra troops to the mission, UN deputy secretary general Mark Malloch Brown said: "Well, we were disappointed, yes. We had hoped France would be able to do more." However, a number of member states gave what Mr Malloch Brown described as "fairly firm" commitments to send troops while others expressed their interest in doing so, provided the operational details were satisfactory. "I think we are in business," he said.
It is understood that, in the course of Thursday's meeting, the French representative specified that his country was willing to send in 200 troops from its military engineer corps, in addition to the 200 French troops already on the ground.
There was some surprise at the fact that countries such as Italy, Spain and Turkey - all believed to be willing to send substantial numbers of troops - were comparatively reticent at the meeting.
Germany also struck a cautious note, according to UN sources, expressing a willingness, pending parliamentary approval, to send a maritime task force for coastal surveillance, "possibly even a force large enough to patrol the whole Lebanese coast". Germany could also send troops to patrol the Lebanon-Syria border. German military experts are currently in the region.
Italy said it hoped to increase its humanitarian aid and was "working on a strategy to increase its military input". Denmark said it could send two coastal patrol vessels, subject to parliamentary approval.
Among other European Union member states, Belgium was "favourable" to the approach of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations but did not go into detail about its intended contribution to an enhanced United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil).
Poland offered 250 soldiers with more to follow, if other countries were prepared to send troops. According to sources, the UK offered naval assistance and said a humanitarian aid package was under consideration.
Spain said it would increase its level of participation in Unifil, subject to parliamentary approval. Greece offered helicopters and Cyprus said it would allow its territory to be used by Unifil. Portugal was non-committal and it is understood that Ireland did not take part in the discussion.
Most of the firmer commitments came from developing countries. Bangladesh said it would send at least 1,600 troops and was willing to expedite the process because time was so short.
Malaysia, although concerned about the risks to its troops, was willing to make as many as 800 troops available. Mr Malloch Brown said no country would be placed at greater risk than others.
Indonesia was also ready to send in troops, both infantry and engineers. Nepal said it could provide 200 soldiers in addition to the Nepalese troops already serving with Unifil.
Egypt, according to one account of the meeting, "questioned the whole exercise" but another source disagreed and said Egypt voiced no significant criticism.
Morocco called for greater clarification of the mandate and rules of engagement. For its part, the US was said to be "wary of further major alterations to the proposed rules of engagement".
New Zealand said it could not provide troops but was in a position to assist in other ways. India already has troops on the ground and would need to consider whether it can send more. Norway said it needed more time to consider the issue of troop numbers. Turkey offered logistical assistance.