U.S., U.N. Condemn Rocket Attack on Israel
While the United States "strongly" condemned a rocket attack Friday on Israel from southern Lebanon, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon urged all parties to exercise restraint.
"We strongly condemn these attacks which were in clear violation of the cessation of hostilities called for in UNSC (U.N. Security Council) resolution 1701," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State PJ Crowley.
He said the incident "highlights the urgent need to put arms in Lebanon under control of the state and the need for the international community to remain fully committed on supporting UNIFIL which is the U.N. mission in Lebanon."
Ban, in turn, condemned the attack on Israel.
"The Secretary-General condemns the firing of at least two rockets against Israel from southern Lebanon on 11 September," U.N. spokeswoman Marie Okabe said.
"The Israel Defense Forces returned fire with artillery rounds towards the direction of where the rockets were launched. There were no reports of casualties on either side."
The U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) "is investigating the circumstances of the incident in close cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces," Okabe said.
Ban "urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint," she said, adding that the parties "must fully adhere to Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and respect the cessation of hostilities agreement."