Graziano Calls for Self-restraint in Wake of Israeli Ground Offensive on Gaza
UNIFIL Commander Maj. Gen. Claudio Graziano has called for self-restraint and to avoid turning south Lebanon into a launch pad for retaliatory attacks against Israel, pan-Arab daily al-Hayat reported Monday.
It quoted ministerial sources as saying Graziano called Prime Minister Fouad Saniora on Saturday, minutes after Israel began its ground offensive on the Gaza Strip, and stressed the need for self-restraint and alertness "to prevent any dramatic development in the south."
The sources told al-Hayat that Graziano did not carry any Israeli warning to the Lebanese government. He told Lebanese authorities to be vigilant in case territories in south Lebanon were used as a launch pad against Israel, they added.
They said the commander of the U.N. peacekeeping force also telephoned President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Army Commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji.
The Army and UNIFIL have already gone on alert in the south and adopted stronger security measures in the wake of the Israeli offensive on Gaza.
As Safir daily quoted Lebanese security sources as saying that authorities are closely monitoring the situation in the south.
UNIFIL Deputy Assistant Spokesperson Andrea Tinti told the newspaper that the peacekeepers were cooperating closely with the army "to guarantee a safe environment."