Asarta Urges Lebanon, Israel to 'Prevent Violations of 1701'

The Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Major-General Alberto Asarta Cuevas on Thursday called on Lebanon and Israel to “prevent violations of (U.N. Security Council) Resolution 1701, including ground violations, air violations and the presence of unauthorized armed personnel in the area of (UNIFIL) operations.”

Asarta voiced his remarks after chairing a regular tripartite meeting with senior officials from the Lebanese and Israeli armies at the U.N. Position at Ras al-Naqoura crossing.

“During the meeting issues relating to implementation of the relevant provisions of U.N. Security Council resolution 1701 were discussed, including the explosive attack against UNIFIL peacekeepers of 9 December, the recent rocket launching incidents on 29 November and 11 December, the 2 December explosion in the vicinity of the town of Srifa, other violations and the situation along the Line of Withdrawal (Blue Line),” UNIFIL said in a statement.

Asarta reiterated that “the attack against UNIFIL, combined with the two incidents of rocket firing and two explosions in (the southern city of) Tyre, constitute serious security breaches in the south Litani area in violation of Security Council resolution 1701.”

“We have excellent cooperation with the LAF who are our strategic partners on the ground. We are taking concrete measures together with the LAF to further reinforce security across our area of operations while efforts continue to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of these attacks,” he added.

Asarta said both parties expressed their “full support and commitment to work together with UNIFIL for the implementation of the relevant provisions” of UNSCR 1701 and to “prevent any potential escalation of the situation.”