BEIRUT: UNIFIL condemned Thursday what it described as the aggressive conduct of some residents in south Lebanon when they intercepted two vehicles belonging to the peacekeeping force the day before.
“UNIFIL condemns this aggressive conduct of some civilians towards peacekeepers, which is contrary to the spirit of UNIFIL’s relationship with the people of south Lebanon who have always demonstrated strong support to the mission,” UNIFIL said in a statement.
While insisting that the situation remained calm in its area of operations, the peacekeeping force said it was investigating the incident with the Lebanese Army.
“UNIFIL remains focused on its operations in close coordination with LAF, to maintain calm and stability in southern Lebanon, and UNIFIL’s freedom of movement is critical for the success of this endeavor.”
A security source told The Daily Star Wednesday that the residents were angered that the Ghana contingent was taking pictures of the area.
UNIFIL said some residents in the Ramyah village blocked the road with motorbikes and vehicles, obstructing the movement of a UNIFIL patrol unit Wednesday afternoon. The residents prevented a backup UNIFIL unit, which responded to the location, from approaching the area by blocking the road with vehicles.
“During the standoff, the civilians, some of whom were carrying knives and small firearms, were aggressive towards the peacekeepers and tried to forcibly enter UNIFIL vehicles and snatch equipment,” the statement.
The incident prompted peacekeepers to undertake “a very controlled response by firing a warning shot in the air,” which dispersed the crowd.
UNIFIL denied that one of its peacekeepers was wounded in a reported fistfight.
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