Lebanon files UN complaint against Israeli violations

BEIRUT

Lebanon on Saturday filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against Israel’s violations of its territories.

Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said a complaint letter was handed on behalf of the Lebanese government to both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council.

The letter condemned "the attacks carried out by Israel at dawn on Friday, April 7, 2023, on areas in southern Lebanon," and held Tel Aviv "responsible for the repercussions of any escalation that would blow up the situation on the southern Lebanese border."

The letter called on the UN to oblige Israel "to stop its violation of Lebanon's sovereignty by air, land and sea, and to cease its continuous threats to peace and security and implement all its obligations in accordance with Resolution 1701."

UN Security Council Resolution 1701 calls for a full cessation of hostilities and Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Violence escalated across the Palestinian territories after Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in East Jerusalem and forcibly removed worshippers for two nights in a row on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Israeli raids on the mosque triggered rocket fire from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, with Israeli retaliating with air and artillery shelling.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar