UN chief condemns incident killing UNIFIL peacekeeper in southern Lebanon

UNITED NATIONS, March 29 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday strongly condemned the incident earlier in the day that resulted in the death of an Indonesian peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at his position in southern Lebanon, amid hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, his spokesperson said.

"This is one of a number of incidents that have jeopardized the safety and security of peacekeepers, including over the past 48 hours," spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

In the incident, another peacekeeper was seriously injured after a projectile exploded at the UNIFIL Ett-Taibe position near a village in southern Lebanon.

The statement said that the secretary-general reiterated his call on all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times, underscoring that attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701, and may amount to war crimes.

"There will need to be accountability," the statement said.

Noting that the secretary-general recalled the importance of the safety and security of peacekeepers and UNIFIL's freedom of movement, the statement urged the parties to de-escalate immediately and fully adhere to their obligations under Security Council resolution 1701.