UNITED NATIONS / ISRAEL: UN Security Council says Hizbollah to blame for Lebanon-Israel border clashes

Record ID: 398545

  • Title: UNITED NATIONS / ISRAEL: UN Security Council says Hizbollah to blame for Lebanon-Israel border clashes
  • Date: 24th November 2005
  • Summary: LEBANON AREA PAN TO ISRAELI SIDE OF BORDER
  • Embargoed: 9th December 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA7ERD0G76A50RBDGG1TCGY3OP
  • Story Text: The United Nations Security Council has blamed Hizbollah for clashes on the Lebanon-Israel border. After three days of deliberation the council on Wednesday (November 23) expressed "deep concern" over the fighting between Lebanon's Hizbollah guerrillas and Israeli forces.
    After prodding by the United States, the Council statement deleted any reference to Israel by name. But U.S. Ambassador John Bolton was certain who the finger of blame should be pointed at: "I wanted to underline the importance of saying expressly that it was Hizbollah that initiated the attack." Pro-Syrian Hizbollah guerrillas on Monday raided northern Israel in an unsuccessful attempt to capture Israeli troops, triggering the worst round of fighting since Israel pulled out of south Lebanon five years ago. Four Hizbollah fighters were killed in addition to injuries on both sides.
    A Security Council statement drafted by France on Monday would have condemned "military exchanges initiated by Hizbollah" as well as Israeli violations of Lebanese air space. But the United States wanted the reference to Israel dropped. Algeria, the only Arab member of the council, objected to pinning the blame on Hizbollah, diplomats said. In the end, members of the Security Council expressed "deep concern about the hostilities" but said they were "initiated by Hizbollah" In a statement they also called on the Lebanese government "to extend its authority and to exert its monopoly over the use of force all over its territory." The Beirut government has been unable to disarm Hizbollah as demanded by U.N. Security Council resolution 1559, adopted in September 2004.
    On Wednesday there was more gunfire. Israeli troops exchanged fire with Hizbollah across the Lebanese border to provide cover for an Israeli paraglider pilot who drifted into Lebanon by accident. Lebanese witnesses said Hizbollah tried to capture him but were thwarted by heavy machinegun fire from the Israeli side.
    The paraglider was detained by Israeli authorities for questioning. Handcuffed, he was taken to a police station and put in custody. "I feel well well, thank God. You can imagine it was not a pleasing experience," Adam Vexler told reporters at the police station.
    Hizbollah sources confirmed the brief gunfight with Israeli troops at Mais El-Jabal, a Lebanese village just across the border from Manara. There were no reports of casualties on either side.
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