Lebanese President condemns UN convoy attack

IANS February 15, 2025 357 views

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has strongly condemned a violent attack on a UN convoy in Beirut, calling the incident "unacceptable" and deplorable. The attack, which occurred near the airport and involved burning of UNIFIL vehicles, follows recent tensions over a blocked Iranian passenger flight. Lebanese authorities have already detained over 25 individuals for investigation and launched field inquiries into the incident. The president has emphasized that such security breaches will not be tolerated and has directed security forces to restore order and pursue those responsible.

"Such acts must not be repeated" - Joseph Aoun, Lebanese President
Beirut, Feb 15: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Saturday strongly condemned the attack on a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy, which occurred a day earlier on the airport road in Beirut, along with other security incidents in the capital, calling them "unacceptable" and "deplorable."

Key Points

1

President directs army to investigate UN convoy attack

2

Over 25 individuals detained for questioning

3

Incidents follow Iranian flight landing dispute

4

Violence erupts near Beirut airport road

In a statement from the Lebanese presidency, Aoun stressed that such acts must not be repeated, warning that security forces will not tolerate any attempts to undermine stability and civil peace.

He directed the army and security forces to restore order, reopen blocked roads, remove obstacles, and pursue those responsible for the unrest. Authorities have already launched field investigations and begun making arrests, he added.

Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar said on Saturday that more than 25 individuals are in now custody with the Lebanese Army Intelligence for investigation, with another detainee held by the Information Division of the Internal Security Forces.

"This does not mean these detainees carried out the attack... but the investigations will show who is responsible," he added.

Violence broke out Friday evening when a group of young men attacked a UN-marked vehicle, assaulted its occupants, and torched three UNIFIL cars. A high-ranking UNIFIL officer was injured, Xinhua news agency reported.

The incidents come in the wake of protests held a day earlier over the refusal to allow an Iranian plane carrying Lebanese passengers to land in Beirut.

Lebanese aviation authorities barred on Thursday an Iranian passenger flight from landing at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport, the only operational international airport in Lebanon, following an Israeli claim that Iran had been using the airport to "smuggle funds to Hezbollah."

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published

Tags:
You May Like!