Greatly Concerned by Rocket Attacks in Lebanon, Secretary-General Urges Maximum Restraint, Respect for Israeli-Lebanese Ceasefire Agreement

21 DECEMBER 2015
SG/SM/17430
SECRETARY-GENERAL
PRESS RELEASE
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
The Secretary-General is greatly concerned over yesterday's firing of rockets within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon's (UNIFIL) area of operations from the area of Al-Hinniyah, in the vicinity of Tyr, towards Israel, which is a serious violation of resolution 1701 (2006).  The Secretary-General notes the retaliatory mortar attacks by the Israel Defense Forces in Lebanon in the area of Zibqin.  UNIFIL is investigating the circumstances of the incident in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces.
The Secretary-General condemns any and all violations of resolution 1701 (2006) and urges all concerned to exercise maximum restraint and cooperate with UNIFIL in order to prevent an escalation.  The parties must fully adhere to resolution 1701 (2006) and respect the cessation of hostilities.
The United Nations is committed to continuing to work with the parties to ensure that the calm that has prevailed in southern Lebanon continues to be sustained.