Lebanon: Following the extremely serious incidents suffered by the UNIFIL peacekeepers, I have requested the convening of an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
France condemns in the strongest possible terms the shootings that caused the death, on March 29, of an Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeeper and that injured three other soldiers of the Force, as well as the explosion that caused the death, on March 30, of two other Indonesian peacekeepers and that injured two other soldiers of the Force.
Such attacks near Blue Helmet positions are unacceptable and unjustifiable. France expresses its most sincere condolences to the families of the killed peacekeepers and its solidarity with Indonesia, and wishes a prompt recovery to the injured personnel. It calls for full light to be shed on the circumstances of these tragedies.
France also condemns the serious incidents suffered yesterday by the French UNIFIL contingent in the Naqoura area. These violations of security and these intimidations by soldiers of the Israeli army against UN personnel are unacceptable and unjustifiable, all the more so since deconfliction procedures had been respected. These condemnations were conveyed in the strongest possible terms to the Ambassador of Israel in Paris.
I call on all parties to respect United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and to ensure that the security of UN personnel is respected and guaranteed, in accordance with international law and the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel. UNIFIL must be able to fully implement its mandate and exercise its full freedom of movement.
I salute the professionalism, courage, and commitment of all UN personnel in southern Lebanon.
: Jean-Noël Barrot
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France