Tuesday 3 August 2010

Lebanon’s Sleiman Vows to Stand Up to Israeli Violation


03/08/2010 Lebanon's president, prime minister and parliament speaker on Tuesday slammed Israel's "aggression" against the country as Lebanese and Israeli occupation troops exchanged fire along the Lebanese-Palestinian border.

Sleiman has vowed to "stand up to Israel's violation of Resolution 1701, whatever the price".

"The president denounces the new Israeli violation of Resolution 1701, which includes ... the bombing of a Lebanese army checkpoint and attacks on Lebanese property," a statement released by Sleiman's office said.

Hariri condemned the "violation of Lebanese sovereignty and demands ... the United Nations and the international community bear their responsibilities and pressure Israel to stop its aggression," a statement from his office said.

Speaker Nabih Berri also issued a statement calling on the government to "urgently file a complaint to the Security Council over the violation of Resolution 1701".

UNIFIL spokesman Neeraj Singh told AFP the international force was working to restore calm in the area and urged maximum restraint on both sides.

Three Lebanese soldiers and a journalist were martyred near the Lebanese village of Odeisseh after clashes erupted around noon (0900 GMT), security officials said.

An Israeli occupation officer was killed and a soldier was in critical condition after being injured.

The fighting broke out after Israeli troops tried to uproot a tree “blocking their view” in the Lebanese area, Lebanese army and security officials said.

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