UN condemns rocket fire into Israel

Ban urges Lebanon, Israel to 'exercise maximum restraint.' US State Department calls attack 'provocative act'

News agencies |Published: 11.30.11 , 08:30

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon overnight Wednesday condemned the firing of at least two Katyusha rockets from southern Lebanon into Israel, and called for "maximum restraint" from the parties concerned.

"The secretary-general condemns the firing of at least two rockets into Israel from southern Lebanon on the night of 29 November," said a statement issued by Ban's spokesman.

"The secretary-general urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and reminds them of their obligation to fully adhere to (UN) Security Council Resolution 1701 and respect the cessation of hostilities agreement," the statement read.

The US State Department also condemned the rocket attack, calling it a "provocative act." Spokesman Mike Toner said the attack undermined Lebanon's stability and constituted a violation of Resolution 1701, which ended the month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.

The resolution called on the parties to respect the Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon, the disarming of all Lebanese militias and an end to arms smuggling in the region.

We call on all parties to respect the Blue Line, as prescribed by UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and to exercise restraint," Toner said, urging Lebanon to continue its cooperation with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to identify the source of the attack.

One of the rockets fired late Monday night struck a chicken coop in the western Galilee. Hezbollah denied any connection to the Katyusha fire.

According to Lebanese media, the IDF responded by firing between four and six artillery shells toward the outskirts of the Aita al-Shaab village. It was further reported that Lebanese Army and UNIFIL forces were patrolling the area from which the rocket fire emanated. UNIFIL said it was investigating the incident.

Lebanese media also reported that UNIFIL commanders, headed by Major-General Alberto Asarta Cuevas, held an urgent meeting to discuss the dramatic events along the border. According to reports, Asarta held discussions with senior Lebanese Army commanders, as well as with IDF brass, in an effort to avoid further escalation.