SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY DEPLORES ROCKET ATTACK ON ISRAELI TOWN OF KIRYAT SHMONA

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General strongly deplores the rocket attack on the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona that was launched from southern Lebanon yesterday.

Noting that this attack represents the most serious violation of the Blue Line since the end of the war in 2006 and an attempt to destabilize the situation in Lebanon, the Secretary-General reiterates the importance of respecting and fully implementing Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint.

He has been assured by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese Armed Forces that they will do their utmost to apprehend those responsible for this violation and will continue their close cooperation to prevent any further attacks.

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For information media • not an official record