UN peacekeepers attacked in Lebanon

Beirut, Jan 26 (IANS) Peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were attacked on a routine patrol in the country's southern village of Ramyah, reported the National News Agency.

One UNIFIL soldier was wounded as the peacekeepers' vehicles were intercepted and two of them were destroyed on early Tuesday, Andrea Tenenti, a UNIFIL spokesperson, was quoted as saying.

He added that the Lebanese Armed Forces at the scene managed to calm the situation, Xinhua news agency reported.

Tenenti stressed that "the peacekeepers were not on private property, but on a public road where they were doing their duty of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and maintaining stability in southern Lebanon."

Under Resolution 1701, UNIFIL enjoys full freedom of movement within its area of operations, he said.

"Attacks on men and women who serve the cause of peace are considered crimes under Lebanese and international laws," the spokesperson added, calling on the Lebanese authorities to investigate this crime and prosecute those responsible for it.