SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS ATTACK ON UN POSITION IN SOUTH LEBANON
Press Release
SG/SM/7073
SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS ATTACK ON UN POSITION IN SOUTH LEBANON
19990720The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
Yesterday, a United Nations position in south Lebanon was shelled by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF)/de facto forces (DFF). It was hit directly by two artillery rounds, while three rounds impacted between 4 and 22 metres from the position. It was only because of the quick reaction of the Finnish troops manning the position and a great deal of luck that there were no casualties. This incident recalls others in May and June, in which United Nations positions were targeted by IDF/DFF. On 31 May, an Irish soldier was killed by such shelling. This further incident, which occurred despite Israeli assurances, is deeply unsettling.
The Secretary-General condemns this attack against United Nations personnel and calls on the Government of Israel to take all necessary measures to ensure that IDF/DFF respect the non-combatant status of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
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