Deeply Concerned over Deteriorating Security Situation in Southern Lebanon, Golan, Secretary-General Urges Adherence to All Relevant Security Council Resolutions

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

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned over the serious deterioration of the security situation in southern Lebanon and violations of the cessation of hostilities and resolution 1701 (2006).  A rocket attack on an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) patrol killed two IDF soldiers and injured others; the attack was claimed by Hizbullah.  The Israel Defense Forces retaliated.

The Secretary-General deeply regrets that a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeper sustained serious injuries that resulted in his death.  The Secretary-General expresses his sincere condolences to the family of the peacekeeper who was killed and his sympathies to the Government and the people of Spain.

The Secretary-General is also concerned about violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria.  Rockets were fired yesterday, 27 January, from the area of limitation on the Bravo side across the ceasefire line and the Israel Defense Forces responded with artillery fire and later an airstrike.

The Secretary-General condemns all violence and calls on all concerned to exercise maximum calm and restraint, to refrain from any action that could undermine the stability of the area and to act responsibly to prevent any escalation in an already tense regional environment.  The Secretary-General urges respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region, and adherence to all relevant Security Council resolutions.