UN explains "rules of engagement" in southern Lebanon

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Tuesday October 3, 2006

Beirut- The United Nations explained Tuesday the "rules of engagement" that will be used by its peacekeepers who are supervising a fragile ceasefire in south Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel since August 14. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said it could resort to the "use of force beyond self-defence," but did not give details on the means which will be used.

"UNIFIL commanders have sufficient authority to act forcefully when confronted with hostile activity of any kind," a UN statement said.

"All UNIFIL personnel may exercise the inherent right of self-defence. In addition, the use of force beyond self-defence may be applied to ensure that UNIFIL's area of operations," it said.

According to the statement the UN mandate is aimed at protecting "UN personnel, facilities, installations and equipment; ensuring the security and freedom of movement of UN personnel and humanitarian workers; and protecting civilians under imminent threat of physical violence."

The statement added the number of UNIFIL troops today has reached to 5,200, plus an interim Maritime Task Force, which will reach around 2,000.

It said UNIFIL, whose task is to support the Lebanese army in the area, "has set up temporary checkpoints at key locations within its area of operations."

It added that Lebanese troops have established "permanent checkpoints... to stop and search passing vehicles and would act if they find unauthorized weapons."

UN Security Council Resolution 1701 which ended the war on August 14 calls for peacekeepers to monitor the southern Lebanese border region along the border with Israel and make sure it is "free of any armed personnel other than those of the Lebanese armed forces and UNIFIL."

Since the ceasefire, Hezbollah guerrillas have kept out of sight in southern Lebanon, but their chief Hassan Nasrallah has rejected in several speeches the laying down his movement's arms as required by the UN resolution.

Hezbollah official in southern Lebanon Sheikh Nabil Kawook said Tuesday that "Hezbollah guerrillas are still in the border areas with Israel with their weapons."

"I tell (Israeli Prime Minister Ehud) Olmert, our guerrillas are still there, but not visible, so nothing has changed since July 12," the Hezbollah official said.

Israel launched a massive offensive against Lebanon on July 12 in response to the capturing of two of its soldiers by Hezbollah in an area near the Israeli-Lebanese border.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency