April 9 (Reuters) - Dozens of states issued a joint statement at the United Nations on Thursday condemning "unacceptable aggressive behavior" toward U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon and calling for
Dozens of States Condemn Attacks on UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon, Urge Protection
International Response to Attacks on UN Peacekeepers
Joint Statement and Condemnation
April 9 (Reuters) - Dozens of states issued a joint statement at the United Nations on Thursday condemning "unacceptable aggressive behavior" toward U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon and calling for increased protections after the deaths there of three Indonesian soldiers.
Humanitarian Concerns in Lebanon
Impact on Civilians and Infrastructure
The 63 countries and the European Union also expressed "deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, especially the significant civilian casualties, the extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure and the mass displacement of more than one million people."
Details of the Statement
Accountability for Attacks
The statement was read by Indonesia's U.N. ambassador Umar Hadi, accompanied by dozens of envoys from countries that endorsed it. It noted that attacks on peacekeepers could constitute war crimes under international law and those responsible must be held accountable.
Support for UNIFIL and Calls for Protection
While reaffirming their full support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the countries urged the U.N. and its Security Council "to strengthen the protection of U.N. peacekeepers in an increasingly dangerous environment."
Commitment to Lebanon's Sovereignty
The statement called on all parties to return to negotiations and reiterated "strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Lebanon."
Further Developments
Potential for More Endorsements
Hadi said there were indications that more countries would sign the statement. Israel, Lebanon and the U.S. were not among those he read out.
Recent Strikes and UN Investigations
Condemnation of Israeli Strikes
On Wednesday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned massive strikes by Israel across Lebanon that day that the U.N. said had resulted in hundreds of civilians being killed and injured.
Probe into Peacekeeper Deaths
The U.N. said on Tuesday that preliminary findings from its probe into the deaths of the three Indonesian peacekeepers in separate incidents on March 29 and 30 showed that one was killed by an Israeli tank projectile and two by an improvised explosive device most likely placed by Hezbollah.
(Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by David Gregorio)
