UNSC slams terrorist attack on UN mission in Lebanon
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The UN Security Council on Friday "condemned in the strongest terms" the terrorist attack on the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which injured six Italian peacekeepers and two Lebanese civilians.
"The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack against a UNIFIL convoy north of Sidon, Lebanon, on May 27, 2011, which injured six United Nations peacekeepers of the Italian battalion and two Lebanese civilians," the 15-nation UN body said in a press statement issued here late on Friday.
The attack coincided with the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, when UN peacekeepers across the world mourn their fallen colleagues.
"The members of Security Council expressed their sympathy to the injured and their families," the statement said.
"The members of the Security Council welcomed the commitment of Lebanon to launch an investigation and to bring to justice the perpetrators of this attack," the statement said. "They also recognized the cooperation between the Lebanese Armed forces and UNIFIL."
"The members of the Security Council condemned all attempts to threaten the security and stability of Lebanon and reaffirmed their determination to ensure that no such acts of intimidation will prevent UNIFIL from implementing its mandate in accordance with Security Council resolution 1701 (2006)," the statement said.
In August 2006, the Security Council unanimously approved a new resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Resolution 1701 calls for "a full cessation of hostilities," and UN and Lebanese troops to replace Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
"The members of the Security Council called on all parties to abide scrupulously by their obligation to respect the safety of UNIFIL and other United Nations personnel and to ensure that the freedom of movement of UNIFIL is fully respected, in conformity with its mandate and rules of engagement," the statement said.
"In this regard, the members of Security Council reaffirmed their full support to UNIFIL and expressed their strong appreciation to member states contributing troops," the statement added.
