SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON LEBANON

 

The following Security Council press statement was read out yesterday by Council President Giadalla Ettalhi ( Libya):

The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the attack on 8 January near the town of Saida in southern Lebanon, which targeted the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and wounded two Irish peacekeepers.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their full support to UNIFIL in carrying out its mandate to assist the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and expressed their strong appreciation to Members States contributing troops.

The members of the Security Council noted the condemnation of this attack by the Government of Lebanon and commended the determination and commitment of the Government of Lebanon to bring to justice the perpetrators of this attack.

The members of the Security Council also strongly condemned the rocket attacks launched against Israel on 8 January.  In this regard, they took note of the letter from the Charge d’affaires of the Permanent Mission of Israel dated 8 January.  They looked forward to the completion of UNIFIL’s investigation.  They reiterated their firm condemnation of any breach of the cessation of hostilities and of all violations of resolution 1701 (2006).

The members of the Security Council reiterated their call upon all parties concerned to respect the Blue Line in its entirety and to exercise utmost restraint.  They expressed their concern for the incident that occurred near the Blue Line in the Halta area on 7 January, as referred to in the Lebanese Permanent Representative’s letter dated 8 January.  They looked forward to the completion of UNIFIL’s investigation.  They urged the expeditious marking of the Blue Line to prevent inadvertent violations.  They recalled their condemnation for all violations of the Blue Line and underlined the need for full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006).

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their full support to the Lebanese Government and the Lebanese Armed Forces in their efforts to ensure security and stability throughout Lebanon.

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For information media • not an official record