Friday, December 09, 2011

Lebanon: Attack on UN Peacekeepers

Taken Question
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
December 9, 2011
Question: Any Comment on today's attack on UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon?
Answer: The United States strongly supports the UN peacekeeping operation in Southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) and condemns Friday's roadside bomb attack. This is the third terrorist attack on UN forces in Lebanon this year and we call on the Lebanese government to immediately investigate and bring those responsible to account for this reprehensible attack.
We again strongly underscore the need for Lebanon to exercise full sovereignty over its territory.
As part of its international obligations under UNSCR 1701, Lebanon must ensure its armed forces serve as Lebanon's sole defense force with a monopoly on the use of force and the possession of arms. All other armed groups should be disarmed, as required in UNSCR 1559 and 1701.