UN force destroys hundreds of pieces of unexploded ordnance in southern Lebanon

A team from the United Nations force in Lebanon has destroyed more unexploded ordnance in the south of the country in a controlled explosion, the mission said today, as it continues humanitarian work for Lebanese civilians and also coordinates troop movements as part of the international agreement that ended the recent fighting.

“The cessation of hostilities generally was maintained in the past 24 hours. There were however, two air violations by Israeli jets recorded yesterday. There was also a clash reported between Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and Hizbollah members east of Shamaha. Details are still to be established,” the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said.

“A team from the Mine Action Coordination Centre carried out a controlled demolition of 445 pieces of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the areas of Yohmor, Smayieh, Ras Al Ain, Tibnin and Aita Al Jabal.”

Unexploded ordnance litters many areas in the south and will take months to clear, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said yesterday, warning that de-mining will take up to six months in the region of Nabatiye alone. UN agencies are already working with the Government on a public awareness campaign on the dangers posed by the ordnance.

UNIFIL also said today it was continuing ground and air patrolling throughout its area of operation to assess the situation on the ground and to monitor the cessation of hostilities, and it is keeping up its distribution of clean water to villages in the south, handing out 45, 000 litres of drinking water in El Khiam, Kafer Kela and Ebel Es Saqi.