The UNIFIL Public Information Office issued a statement today denying what it described as “unfounded allegations made on 5 August 2008 in the daily Al Akhbar regarding UNIFIL’s Force Commander issuing an order at the behest of the Israeli Defense Forces.”
“This media report does not accurately represent the way UNIFIL operates,” the statement said.
It also said that the activities of UNIFIL are defined by UN Security Council Resolution 1701 “and are carried out in close cooperation and coordination with the Lebanese Army, which has primary responsibility for security and law and order in the area of operations.”
“In accordance with the Technical Arrangements established in 2006 between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army, UNIFIL will hand over to the Lebanese Army any persons whom they may detain, and any weapons, ammunitions and explosives they may seize in the course of discharging their duties under the mandate of the Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) and in accordance with UNIFIL Rules of Engagement,” the statement declared.
UNIFIL has recently been protesting over Israeli violations of the Lebanese sovereignty, mainly though flyovers.