UNIFIL Updated Media line on the rocket firing of 29 Dec 2013‏

30 December 2013
Following last morning's rocket firing from southern Lebanon towards Israel, later yesterday the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) found four rocket firing sites with improvised launch mechanisms in the El Khraibe area east of El Khiam.
UNIFIL investigators, accompanied by LAF, inspected the launch sites, all four of which were located in close vicinity of each other.
UNIFIL also inspected one site near Sarda in southern Lebanon where one of the rockets had impacted after apparently falling short of its intended range, as well as an impact site for the Israeli artillery shelling indicated by the LAF close to the rocket launch area. UNIFIL's air reconnaissance observed several other impacts of the IDF shelling scattered around the same general area. UNIFIL radars had detected a total of 32 artillery shells fired by the IDF shortly after the rockets were launched and directed at the area from where the rockets had been fired.
Yesterday, a UNIFIL investigation team visited northern Israel and inspected one rocket impact site near Kiryat Shmona.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the perpetrators had attempted to fire at least four rockets towards Israel, two of which impacted in northern Israel in the general area of Kiryat Shmona and a third fell within Lebanon near Sarda. Initial indications are that the fourth rocket exploded at the launch site.
UNIFIL investigations are ongoing in close coordination with the LAF to unravel all the facts and circumstances relating to this incident of grave violation of resolution 1701 and one that had a dangerous potential to escalate further.
UNIFIL is in regular contact with the parties who have reaffirmed their commitment to the cessation of hostilities and are working in cooperation with UNIFIL to maintain the calm that has since been restored along the Blue Line.
UNIFIL in close coordination with LAF has intensified its patrols across its area of operations to prevent any further incidents.
The situation in UNIFIL's area of operations is calm.

New York, 29 December 2013 - Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Lebanon/Israel

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the rocket attack on Israel from southern Lebanon that occurred this morning. According to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), shortly after 07 00hrs, two rockets fired from the general area of El Khiam in southern Lebanon impacted in the vicinity of Kiryat Shimona in northern Israel. The IDF returned 32 rounds of artillery fire directed at the area from where the rockets had originated.

At this time, no casualties or damage have been reported from either side, and there has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket attack. UNIFIL, in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces, is investigating the incident.

The Secretary-General appreciates the cooperation of both the Lebanese and Israeli authorities with UNIFIL's efforts to prevent further escalation of this incident, as well as their continued commitment to the cessation of hostilities along the Blue Line.

The Secretary-General urges all actors to exercise maximum restraint and prevent further incidents with destabilising and escalatory potential in the region.

UNIFIL Press Statement on rocket fire, 29 December 2013

29 December 2013

This morning at around 7:35am UNIFIL radars detected firing of at least two rockets from the general area of El Khiam in southern Lebanon towards Israel. The IDF informed UNIFIL that two rockets fired from Lebanon had impacted in the vicinity of Kiryat Shimona in northern Israel.

The IDF returned artillery fire directed at the location from where the rockets had originated.

At this time, no casualties or damages have been reported from either side. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket attack.

UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Paolo Serra was immediately in contact with counterparts in the LAF and IDF commands and has urged the parties to exercise maximum restraint in order to prevent any escalation of the situation.

Major-General Paolo Serra said: "This is a very serious incident in violation of UN Security Council resolution 1701 and is clearly directed at undermining stability in the area. UNIFIL's first imperative is to ensure that there is no further escalation of the situation and I have been assured by the parties of their full cooperation with UNIFIL in this effort and of their continued commitment to the cessation of hostilities."

He added: "Our troops on the ground are working with the Lebanese Armed Forces to reinforce security and locate the rocket launching site. UNIFIL has intensified its patrols across our area of operations to prevent any further incidents."

"It is of paramount importance to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this attack and we will spare no efforts to this end working in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces."

 

Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the assassination of Dr. Mohamed Chatah (Lebanon)

New York, 27 December 2013 - The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the car bombing in Beirut today that killed at least six people, including former cabinet minister Mohamed Chatah, and injured scores more.  He conveys his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy and full recovery to those injured.  The Secretary-General notes that, as Finance Minister in the government of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and as foreign policy advisor to Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Dr. Chatah had served as a tireless voice for tolerance, diversity, and moderation.  In the Secretary-General's view, his death is a tremendous loss for Lebanon and a reminder of the need to end impunity. 
The Secretary-General is deeply troubled by the recurring acts of terrorism in Lebanon which pose a severe threat to the country's stability and national cohesion.  He welcomes the efforts of the Lebanese authorities and security forces to address the security challenges and to protect the country from the impact of the crisis in neighbouring Syria.  He urges all Lebanese parties to act with restraint at this time and to support the institutions of the state, and particularly the security forces, as they seek to prevent further acts of terrorism.
The Secretary-General underlines the need for the perpetrators of this crime to be brought to justice.  He reiterates the determination of the international community to support Lebanon's security and stability.
 

Plumbly condemns Beirut car bombing and assassination of former Lebanese Minister Mohammad Chattah

Fri 27 Dec 2013
NNA - The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly is shocked and deeply saddened by the car bombing in Beirut this morning that killed former Minister Mohammad Chattah and at least five others.
He described Mohamed Chattah as a good friend, and a wise, courageous and patriotic man, who had consistently sought to promote dialogue and Lebanon's well-being. He extended his condolences to Dr. Chattah's family and colleagues, and to the families of all of the victims of this bombing.
He stressed the importance of those responsible for this and other such acts of terrorism being brought to justice, the need for restraint at this difficult time and for all Lebanese to come together in support of institutions of the state and the security forces as they seek to safeguard the country at this difficult time.
 

Security Council Press Statement on Lebanon

Security Council SC/11217 Dec 16 2013

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

 Security Council Press Statement on Lebanon

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Gérard Araud ( France):

The members of the Security Council deplored the shooting of an Israel Defense Forces soldier by a Lebanese Armed Forces soldier, on 15 December in the vicinity of the Blue Line at Naqoura, and called for calm and continued restraint by all parties.

The members of the Security Council called upon the Israel Defense Forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces to continue to cooperate with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to ascertain the facts related to the incident.  In this regard, Council members welcomed the extraordinary tripartite meeting convened by UNIFIL on 16 December and the reaffirmation by the parties of their commitment to the cessation of hostilities and of their interest in preserving calm and stability along the Blue Line.  Council members also welcomed the reaffirmation by the Lebanese authorities of their full commitment to resolution 1701 (2006).

The members of the Security Council noted that UNIFIL confirmed the Lebanese Government's preliminary findings which indicate that the shooting was an individual action by a soldier.  They further underlined that it remains a serious contravention of the existing operational rules and procedures as related to resolution 1701 (2006).  The members of the Security Council looked forward to the completion of UNIFIL and Lebanon's investigations into the incident.

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For information media • not an official record

UN chief calls for calm after shooting on Israeli-Lebanese border

16 December 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has deplored the shooting on Sunday of an Israel Defence Forces (IDF) soldier by a Lebanese soldier, and called for calm.

The shooting occurred in the vicinity of the so-called Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon at Naqoura, according to a statement issued by Mr. Ban's spokesperson.

"The Israel Defence Forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces are cooperating with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to ascertain the facts," the spokesperson stated.

"The Secretary-General reminds the Lebanese Armed Forces of their responsibilities under Security Council resolution 1701 and strongly urges both sides to exercise restraint."

Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and the Lebanese group Hizbollah, calls for respect for the Blue Line, the disarming of all militias in Lebanon, and an end to arms smuggling in the area.