Australia has decided to withdraw its 12 peacekeeping troops from southern Lebanon because of the dangerous situation there, Australian Defense Minister said Thursday.

"Late yesterday we made a decision to bring our 12 Australian Defense Force personnel back from southern Lebanon to Beirut where, of course, it is important that they continue to work with our Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials," Nelson told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.

Australia made the decision after four U.N observers were killed by an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday.