Secretary-General concerned by firing of rocket from Lebanon into Israel

Emphasizing again the fragility of the situation in Lebanon and the wider region, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today voiced concern over last night's firing of a Katyusha rocket from Lebanon into the village of Shlomi in northern Israel.

The rocket caused damage to property but no casualties.

A statement by a UN spokesperson said the Secretary-General reiterated his call on the Government of Lebanon to extend its control to all of its territory, to exert its monopoly on the use of force and to put an end to all such attacks.

"The Secretary-General urges all parties to fully respect the Blue Line and reminds them that one violation of the Blue Line cannot justify another," Marie Okabe said, referring to the line marking the withdrawal of Israeli troops from its northern neighbour.

Meanwhile, the UN team verifying Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon is travelling to New York for consultations, Ms. Okabe added.

She said the team collected a substantial amount of data during its time on the ground in Lebanon, and intended to review and assess the material in New York.