Guterres condemns attack on UNIFIL observer team in southern Lebanon

UN Secretary General urges seeking a diplomatic solution in accordance with Security Council resolutions

MADRID, 31 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has condemned the explosion that occurred this Saturday against a team of the United Nations Interim Force for Lebanon (UNIFIL) that left at least three observers and a translator injured in the Lebanese town of Rmeish, in the south of the country.

"The Secretary-General condemns an explosion today that hit an Observer Group of Lebanon (OGL) patrol, injuring three United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) OGL military observers and an assistant languages," reads a statement from its spokesperson.

The secretary has assured in the same note that UNIFIL "is carrying out an investigation" and has called to "guarantee the safety of peacekeeping personnel at all times."

Following this incident, Guterres lamented that "the situation along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel (...) continues to be a cause for serious concern", due to the "daily exchanges of fire between non-governmental armed groups." based in Lebanon and the Israel Defense Forces" that have been going on since October 8 of last year.

The UN representative has stressed that "these repeated violations of the cessation of hostilities violate Security Council resolution 1701 (2006)" and has described their "impact on civilian areas" as "unacceptable", denouncing "dozens of civilian deaths , the destruction of residential and agricultural areas and the displacement of tens of thousands of people on both sides of the Blue Line" as the main consequences.

"These hostile actions have not only disrupted the livelihoods of thousands of people, but also represent a serious threat to the security and stability of Lebanon, Israel and the region," he added.

In this regard, Guterres has urged people to refrain from "continuing to violate the cessation of hostilities" and to seek "a diplomatic solution to the crisis" in accordance with the aforementioned Security Council resolution.

"The United Nations is willing to support these efforts," said the Secretary General, who wished the injured "a speedy and complete recovery" and paid tribute to the deceased for their "tireless work (...) in such conditions." "dangerous."