Roman Generals and German Mercenaries in Lebanon

This is just about the most bizarre bit of history repeating itself that I have ever read before eight o'clock in the morning:

An Italian coalition leader said Rome would be willing to lead the military peace mission in Lebanon should the United Nations ask it to, while Germany’s chancellor said Monday she is confident that Europe will contribute ground troops.

Rome leading a military peace mission using German mercenaries? Pax Romana? If the AP had been around, they could just about have written this paragraph in 150 AD.