UN passes Lebanon resolution
The UN security council has unanimously passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the fighting in southern Lebanon between Israel and militant group Hizbullah.
It will send an international peacekeeping force of 15,000 veteran troops to police the strip between the Israel-Lebanon border and the Litani river, where fighting is currently taking place.
Upon the arrival of the force, which could be in place within a week’s time, a full cessation of hostilities will occur, with the Lebanese army occupying the country’s southern territory.
However, congratulation and relief at the UN headquarters in New York was quickly dashed as secretary general Kofi Annan criticised diplomats for failing to act quicker.
“I would be remiss if I did not tell how profoundly disappointed I am that the council did not reach this point much earlier,” he said.
Meanwhile the Qatari ambassador to the UN said that the resolution, whose text had been fought over by France and the US, was weighted towards favouring the Israelis. But he said he would accept it in order to stop more innocent deaths.
Israel responded to the ceasefire with a wave of fresh air strikes last night, hitting 80 targets including two Hizbullah command posts, according to Israeli media.
On the ground in southern Lebanon the Israeli military also began “broadening” its ground offensive, implementing the expected push deeper into Lebanese territory in a bid to flush out Hizbullah forces from the 13-mile strip south of the Litani river.
Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson Mark Regev argued that the offensives were “complimenting the diplomatic role because by cleaning out the area today we’re making it easier for the international force and the Lebanese army to do its job tomorrow”.
Meanwhile Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah has welcomed the UN resolution and said it will give help to Lebanese and UN troops on the ground. He also offered assistance to those who needed to be repatriated to their homes following the ceasefire.
