UNIFIL to Lebanon: Israeli Maneuvers Have No Hostile Objectives
UNIFIL has informed Lebanon that the upcoming Israeli maneuvers are defensive exercises with no hostile objectives after Beirut sent a protest to the United Nations, the premier”s office announced Thursday.
Lebanon had protested to the U.N. against the maneuvers and Israel”s espionage networks uncovered in the country. It had requested UNIFIL to help extradite fugitives who fled to Israel.
The official complaint, addressed to U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon, was sent via the Lebanese foreign ministry.
"The UNIFIL command informed Lebanon that the maneuvers that Israel will carry out end of this month are defensive exercises that have no hostile objectives," the prime minister”s office stressed in a statement.
Police chief Ashraf Rifi, meanwhile, said Lebanon has asked UNIFIL to contact Israel in an effort to extradite three Lebanese citizens who fled to the Jewish state across the border.
Rifi said those arrested in connection with the Israel-linked spy cells belong to "different Lebanese sects," citing physiological and financial factors as reasons for treason.
In New York, U.N. spokesperson Marie Okabe said UNIFIL reported that it has been informed by the Lebanese authorities of a number of Lebanese citizens who crossed the Blue Line into Israel.
She noted that UNIFIL is in the process of ascertaining all the facts concerning this issue, adding that "any illegal crossing would constitute a violation of the Blue Line and a violation of Security Council resolution 1701," the resolution that ended the 2006 war.
Regarding Ghajar, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy, reiterated from New York that Israel is obligated under resolution 1701 to withdraw from part of the occupied village and adjacent area north of the Blue Line.
"There is no question about that," Le Roy told a news conference. "UNIFIL has been working intensively with the Israel Defense Forces and Lebanese Armed Forces to facilitate the withdrawal. Last summer, UNIFIL submitted a proposal to both parties."
UNIFIL is still talking with the Israeli authorities on the modalities, but no date for the withdrawal of Israeli forces has been given yet, Le Roy said.
He said that he will be traveling to Israel in the next few days and "I intend to press on the Israeli government officials the importance of finding an early resolution on this issue."
"We are hopeful that we will soon reach an understanding on the UNIFIL proposal that will facilitate Israel”s withdrawal from the area as required by resolution 1701" Le Roy added.