UAE strongly condemns targeting of UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon

The UAE has strongly condemned the attack that killed a French soldier under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon and injured three other peacekeepers on Saturday.

In a statement shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the UAE stressed that targeting peacekeeping forces is a violation of international law and the provisions of the Security Council Resolution 1701.

The UN resolution called for a full cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006, and restricted the presence of no armed forces other than the UNIFIL and Lebanese military in the south of the Litani River. 

The ministry also expressed the UAE's solidarity with the countries participating in UNIFIL forces, and offered its sincere condolences to the victim's family, the French Republic, and its people, wishing a speedy recovery to all those injured. 

It further urged the Lebanese government to fulfill its duties in providing protection for UNIFIL forces, investigating the attack, and ensuring that it is not repeated in the future, alongside taking all necessary legal measures to hold those responsible accountable.

The UAE also reaffirmed its support for the Lebanese government's efforts in restricting weaponry and dismantling terrorist organisations to consolidate national security and stability in this critical phase.