UNIFIL patrol fires tear gas after clash with Aytit residents

A patrol from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Thursday attempted to enter the southern town of Aytit, but was met with resistance from a group of local youths, the state-run National News Agency reported.

According to NNA, the patrol fired tear gas in the direction of the protesters before retreating from the area.

UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said “this morning, several individuals in civilian clothes blocked UNIFIL peacekeepers on a planned patrol near Wadi Jilu” and that “the activity had been previously coordinated with the Lebanese Armed Forces, in support of Lebanon's implementation of Resolution 1701.”

“While the situation was initially calm, the individuals soon began throwing stones at the peacekeepers, who were forced to disperse the crowd with smoke to protect themselves from harm,” Tenenti added, noting that “the LAF arrived at the scene and the situation was brought under control.”

“As the Lebanese government and army have made clear, peacekeepers can move independently in south Lebanon in performance of their duties to restore security and stability under Resolution 1701. They do not need to be accompanied by Lebanese soldiers,” Tenenti said.

Warning that “any attack on peacekeepers is a serious violation of international law and Resolution 1701,” the spokesman said UNIFIL has requested that the Lebanese authorities bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We will continue impartially monitoring and reporting on violations of 1701, as mandated by the Security Council and requested by the Lebanese government,” Tenenti vowed.

Hezbollah supporters in Lebanon frequently accuse the U.N. mission — which was created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israel’s 1978 invasion -- of collusion with Israel. Israel meanwhile accuses the peacekeepers of turning a blind eye to Hezbollah’s military activities in southern Lebanon.