The United Nations peacekeeping power in Lebanon says its outgoing deputy commander has been injured after one in every of its convoys was “violently attacked”.
The UN Interim Drive in Lebanon (Unifil) mentioned in an announcement that the convoy was taking peacekeepers to Beirut airport when it was focused and one in every of its autos set on hearth.
The mission has demanded a “full and quick” investigation by Lebanese authorities.
Each Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, and the Lebanese military condemned the assault on Unifil, and mentioned they might work to arrest these concerned.
A number of movies shared on-line present one white UN automobile alight, as a gaggle of younger males, carrying yellow flags, chase and beat what seems to be peacekeepers as they try to flee.
Separate footage exhibits a gaggle of males shouting as they kick, hit and climb onto a convoy of three UN autos alongside a darkish street.
Unifil’s injured deputy commander, who was not named, was returning residence after ending his mission, based on the assertion.
“We’re shocked by this outrageous assault on peacekeepers who’ve been serving to revive safety and stability to south Lebanon throughout a troublesome time,” it added.
“Assaults on peacekeepers are flagrant violations of worldwide legislation and should quantity to conflict crimes. We demand a full and quick investigation by Lebanese authorities and for all perpetrators to be delivered to justice.”
Supporters of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah have gathered outdoors Beirut’s airport since Thursday over a stand-off between Lebanon and Iran that noticed two Iranian planes barred from touchdown within the Lebanese capital.
The problem has left dozens of Lebanese nationals stranded in Iran.
The Amal motion, a gaggle allied to Hezbollah, mentioned “the assault on Unifil is an assault on southern Lebanon”, and described it as “a stab at civil peace”.
Lebanese Inside Minister Ahmed Al-Hajjar instructed state media he would convene a safety assembly on Saturday in mild of the assault, calling it a “crime towards peacekeeping forces”.
Unifil was created to observe a buffer zone created close to the border with Israel following the top of the 2006 Lebanon conflict, and has posts all through southern Lebanon.
