CONCERNED BY SERIOUS CLASHES ACROSS BLUE LINE, SECRETARY-GENERAL COMMENDS ISRAEL, LEBANON FOR AVOIDING FURTHER ESCALATION

CONCERNED BY SERIOUS CLASHES ACROSS BLUE LINE, SECRETARY-GENERAL

COMMENDS ISRAEL , LEBANON FOR AVOIDING FURTHER ESCALATION

The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, on 29 May:

The Secretary-General is concerned at the serious clashes across the Blue Line that took place yesterday, which the United Nations is continuing to investigate.

The Secretary-General is pleased that the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and his senior representatives in the area were able to broker a cessation of hostilities, and he commends the Government of Israel and the Government of Lebanon for avoiding further escalation.

The Secretary-General continues to follow the situation closely, and calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and respect fully the Blue Line.  He particularly urges the Government of Lebanon to make every effort to exercise its control over the use of force from its territory.

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For information media • not an official record