December 12, 11

NEWS / Lebanon: Assembly chief condemns attack against UN peacekeepers

12 December 2011 –
General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser has added his voice to the chorus of United Nations officials condemning last Friday’s attack against a group of blue helmets in southern Lebanon.

Five peacekeepers serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and two civilians were injured when a bomb exploded as a UN vehicle passed near the port city of Tyre.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson on Saturday, Mr. Al-Nasser welcomed the pledge of Lebanon to bring the attack’s perpetrators to justice.

“President Al-Nasser calls upon all parties to observe the safety and security of UNIFIL peacekeepers and other UN personnel in accordance with international law,” the statement noted. “He attaches great importance to the fulfilment of UNIFIL’s mandate.”

The mission, which has been in operation since 1978, currently has just over 12,000 peacekeepers from 35 countries.

Mr. Al-Nasser’s statement echoes similar remarks on Friday from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the 15 members of the Security Council.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40699&Cr=Lebanon&Cr1=