U.N. Wary of Possible Threat to U.N. Troops in Lebanon

U.N. Wary of Possible Threat to U.N. Troops in Lebanon

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday he is aware of unconfirmed published reports of a possible attack by al-Qaida terrorists on the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, but had not ordered further action.

Ban told reporters he read the reports in Lebanese newspapers and said the U.N. "will take all possible precautionary security measures."

But he stressed the threat level had not been changed, and no new security measures were being taken in response.

Two newspapers on Thursday published conflicting reports on a possible attack by al-Qaida terrorists targeting the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The daily al-Akhbar said the United States had warned UNIFIL of an imminent terrorist attack on Dec. 10.

The report quoted an unnamed European diplomatic source as saying the United States provided UNIFIL with information that al-Qaida would probably launch a "suicide attack" against UNIFIL convoys, which led to a state of alert by the peacekeepers, the Lebanese Army and security agencies.

As-Safir also carried a similar report, saying the Lebanese Army was informed by UNIFIL of the alleged threat.

"Visits to south Lebanon by European officials were called off in light of the threat," the report said.

However, as-Safir said the alleged terrorist attack would probably be launched in the transition between the George Bush and Barak Obama administrations.

The U.S. mission to the United Nations said American officials had seen the press reports, but could not confirm them.

Ban said the Lebanese Army bears the main responsibility for protecting the force.