SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES FULL RESPECT FOR BLUE LINE BETWEEN LEBANON, ISRAEL FOLLOWING EXCHANGE OF FIRE, ‘WORRIESOME ESCALATION’

SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES FULL RESPECT FOR BLUE LINE BETWEEN LEBANON, ISRAEL

FOLLOWING EXCHANGE OF FIRE, ‘WORRIESOME ESCALATION’

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General views with deep concern today’s exchange of fire along the Blue Line.  These events, which began with shells being fired from Lebanon towards an Israeli military position along the Blue Line, prompting an Israeli artillery and air response, constituted the third violation of the Blue Line in recent days and a worrisome escalation of the situation.

The Secretary-General calls on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint in a situation that continues to be fragile, not just in Lebanon, but also in the wider region.  He also reiterates his call on the Government of Lebanon to extend its control over all of its territory, to exert its monopoly on the use of force, and to put an end to all attacks emanating from its territory.

The Secretary-General once again urges all parties to fully respect the Blue Line, which was unanimously determined by the Security Council, and reminds them that one violation cannot justify another.

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