Lebanon Condemns Continued Attack On UNIFIL Troops

JAKARTA - Lebanon condemned attacks on UN peacekeeper missions (UNIFIL) stationed in the southern region, including rocket attacks last week that left four Italian soldiers lightly injured.

The 10,000-member multi-national UNIFIL mission monitors hostilities along the demarcation line with Israel, an area hit by fierce clashes between the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia and Israeli forces.

Since Israel launched ground military operations across the border against Hezbollah in late September, UNIFIL soldiers have experienced several attacks coming from both sides.

"Lebanon strongly condemns any attacks on UNIFIL and calls on all parties to respect the safety, security of their troops and locations," Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib told a news conference in Rome.

Bou Habib spoke before attending a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Anagni, southeast of Rome, along with other colleagues from the Middle East, scheduled to discuss the conflict in the region.

"Lebanon condemned the recent attack on the Italian contingent and regretted the unjustified hostilities," added Bou Habib.

Italy says Hezbollah may be responsible for the attacks carried out on Friday last week against its troops at UNIFIL.

Beirut's Foreign Minister has called for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution, which ended the previous war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006 with a ceasefire facing challenges and abuses over the years.

"Lebanon is ready to fulfill its obligations as regulated in the resolution above," said Bou Habib.

"This is literally meaningful and I quote 'there will be no weapon without the approval of the Lebanese government and no authority other than the Lebanese government'," he stressed.

Hezbollah, which is militarily stronger than Lebanese regular soldiers, said they defended the country from Israeli aggression.

They vowed to continue fighting and said they would not lay down arms or allow Israel to gain political advantage through the war.