A patrol of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was attacked yesterday and its members were robbed in the village of Ramyah, in the south of the country.

UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti said a UNIFIL soldier was injured and two vehicles were destroyed in the attack, adding that the Lebanese Armed Forces present at the scene calmed the situation .

Tenenti stressed that “the peacekeepers were not on private property, but on a public road where they were doing their duty to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and maintain stability in southern Lebanon”.

Under resolution 1701, UNIFIL enjoys complete freedom of movement within its area of ​​operations, he said.

Tenenti called on the Lebanese authorities to investigate the attack and prosecute the perpetrators.

Relations between civilians and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have remained tense and clashes are not uncommon in the southern region of the country after the peacekeeping force’s mandate and budget were cut. significantly expanded in response to the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The number of personnel stationed in the area now stands at around 10,000.

UNIFIL patrols have intensified over the past 12 months, likely adding to existing tensions between residents and peacekeepers.

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