Policemen inspect the burnt remains of a UNIFIL vehicle, on the road leading to Beirut's international airport on 14 February. Photo: AFP/ Ibrahim Amro
An attack on a convoy taking peacekeepers to Beirut airport has injured a high-ranking UN officer, the organisation's contingent in Lebanon says.
The outgoing deputy force commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIF) was injured on Friday when the group was "violently attacked" on the way to the airport, UNIFIL said.
The mission demanded a full and immediate investigation by Lebanese authorities and for all perpetrators to be brought to justice, it said in a statement.
Lebanese state news agency NNA reported Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar called for an emergency meeting before noon on Saturday to discuss the security situation.
"He affirmed the Lebanese government's rejection of this assault that is considered a crime against UNIFIL forces," NNA reported, citing the Lebanese minister.
He also gave instructions to work on identifying the perpetrators and referring them to the relevant judicial authorities.
The United States condemned the attack, which it said wounded UN peacekeepers. The State Department statement said the attack was carried out "reportedly by a group of Hezbollah supporters", referring to the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon.
- Reuters
