Lebanese army takes over more positions from Israeli troops as UN Force helps villagers

Lebanese army units have taken over more positions left by withdrawing Israeli troops and are now deployed in more than 50 per cent of the territory south of the Litani River, the United Nations says, adding that its interim force continues to work closely with both sides and is also stepping up its humanitarian work

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The cessation of hostilities, which came into force last week, “generally was maintained over the past 24 hours,” the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a press release, but added there were two air violations by Israeli helicopters yesterday.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan recently wrote to the Security Council informing them that he would start issuing a daily report of any violations of the cessation of hostilities agreement, and a UN spokesman said today that he had sent a report covering the period of 21 August.

“In it, the Secretary-General notes that UNIFIL has received a letter dated 21 August from the Lebanese Army stating that the IDF on nine occasions violated Lebanese air space,” Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York.

UNIFIL is also continuing its work on destroying unexploded ordnance in southern Lebanon left over from the month-long conflict, saying a team from the Mine Action Coordination Centre have performed additional controlled explosions in the areas of Yohmor, Smayieh, Ras Al Ain, Tibnin and Aita Al Jabal.

The Mission also distributed almost 30,000 litres of water to villagers in El Khiam, Ett Taibe and Ebel Es Saqi to counter the chronic shortage of drinking water.