U.N. Chief Calls for 'Maximum Restraint' after Rockets Fired on Israel

The U.N. chief Friday condemned the firing of rockets against Israel, urging all sides to exercise "maximum restraint," and cooperate with the U.N. force in Lebanon to prevent an escalation.

In a statement, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was "greatly concerned" by the incident, "which is a clear violation of resolution 1701" passed in 2006.

The U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon is investigating alongside the Lebanese and Israeli armies, and the international body "is committed to continuing to work with the parties to ensure that the calm that has prevailed continues to be sustained," the statement added.

The Israeli air force carried out an air raid against Lebanon Friday, the army said, several hours after an al-Qaida-linked group said it had fired the four rockets at the Jewish state from Lebanon.