SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY CONDEMNS ATTACKS AGAINST PEACEKEEPERS IN LEBANON

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

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the 8 January attack against a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) vehicle on the coastal highway near the town of Saida ( Sidon), outside UNIFIL’s area of operations.  The attack lightly injured two military members of UNIFIL.

UNIFIL and the Lebanese authorities are cooperating and coordinating closely in the ongoing investigation.  The Secretary-General hopes that the perpetrators will be swiftly identified and brought to justice.

The Secretary-General is deeply disturbed by this latest attack on UNIFIL.  The security and safety of all United Nations personnel in Lebanon are of paramount importance.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record