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UN envoy concerned at repeated violations of ‘Blue Line’ in southern Lebanon

UN envoy concerned at repeated violations of ‘Blue Line’ in southern Lebanon

Terje Roed-Larsen
Reacting to attacks on Israeli positions across the withdrawal line in southern Lebanon, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Terje Roed-Larsen, has voiced concern at the pattern of repeat violations.

In a statement issued late on Wednesday, Mr. Roed-Larsen expressed “great concern for Hizbollah’s totally unacceptable attack on an Israeli position across the Blue Line” on 21 January. “This attack is part of an unacceptable pattern of serious Blue Line violations,” he said, noting also that Israel’s response to the unprovoked attack constituted a violation of the Blue Line resulting in one Lebanese civilian fatality and injury to another.

Mr. Roed-Larsen called on the Lebanese Government to make every effort to take more steps for the return of its effective authority throughout southern Lebanon, as called for in Security Council resolutions.

The Special Coordinator urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint “in order to avoid a dangerous cycle of attacks and counter-attacks, particularly at this difficult and unpredictable time in the region.”