Lebanon turns to UNIFIL to end air, sea, land ‘border violations’ by Israel
Israel’s neighbor demands a halt to “Israeli violations” of its sovereignty.
By ARIEL BEN SOLOMONIndonesian soldiers, part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, look out over the Lebanese-Israeli border on January 19.(photo credit: REUTERS)
In a meeting chaired by the head of mission and force commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, Maj.- Gen. Luciano Portolano, and attended by senior officers from the Lebanese and Israeli armies, Israel’s neighbor demanded a halt to “Israeli violations” of its sovereignty.“The Lebanese delegation presented [a list of] Israeli violations by air, ground and sea, demanding they halt immediately,” the Lebanese army said in a statement, according to the Beirut-based Daily Star.“The Lebanese delegation] stressed the need to resolve incidents in the field, even if they are simple, in order to prevent them from developing and causing larger incidents,” the statement said.The Lebanese delegation, headed by Brig.-Gen. Muhammad Janbeh, argued that UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the Second Lebanon War in 2006, needs to be implemented.The meeting took place at the UN Position at the Rosh Hanikra crossing, and aspects of Resolution 1701 were discussed, “including air and ground violations, the ongoing visible marking of the Blue Line [international border] and the issue of withdrawal of Israeli forces from northern Ghajar,” according to a statement issued by UNIFIL.“I was encouraged to see the interest and commitment of both sides to use the tripartite mechanism to ensure good liaison and communication. This is the bedrock of guaranteeing that the current calm continues,” said Portolano.“I am grateful for the constructive approach demonstrated by both parties to improve the situation on the ground, to minimize and halt violations and to build on what has been achieved through the tripartite arrangements,” he added.Portolano said that UNIFIL “remains vigilant.”
