Lebanon’s President condemns attack on UNIFIL convoy in Beirut
The Hindu
Lebanon's President condemns attack on UN convoy in Beirut, vows to maintain security; protesters block roads in capital.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun condemned on Saturday (February 15, 2025) an attack on a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy in Beirut, saying security forces will not tolerate anyone who tries to destabilise the country, according to a statement by the President’s office.
The outgoing Deputy Force Commander of the UNIFIL was injured on Friday (February 14, 2025) when a convoy taking peacekeepers to Beirut airport was “violently attacked”, UNIFIL said in a statement.
“We are shocked by this outrageous attack on peacekeepers who have been serving to restore security and stability to south Lebanon during a difficult time,” it said.
The Lebanese army intervened to disperse the protesters. The Army said in a statement that acting commander Maj. Gen. Hassan Odeh had contacted UNIFIL and promised to “work to arrest the citizens who attacked its members and bring them to justice.”
Demonstrators have been blocking the road to the airport and other roads in the capital to protest a decision by Lebanese authorities to revoke permission for a passenger plane from Iran to fly to Beirut on Thursday, leaving dozens of Lebanese passengers stranded.
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