Guterres called for a “quick investigation” to clarify the killing of an Irish “blue helmet” in Lebanon

Madrid, December 16 (European Press) –

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has called for a “quick investigation” to clarify the “incident” in which an Irish “blue helmet” deployed as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was killed on Wednesday.

Thus, he stressed the need for “accountability” and expressed his “deep sadness” at the event, which resulted in the injury of three other “blue helmets”, one of whom is in critical condition, according to his spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric.

On the other hand, he conveyed his condolences to the victim’s family and to the Irish government, while expressing his “deep appreciation” to all UNIFIL personnel. He stressed that “Guterres recalls the importance of ensuring their security and UNIFIL’s freedom of movement.”

The Irish armed forces explained that the incident occurred when unknown persons fired short-arms shots at two armored vehicles that were carrying eight soldiers to the capital, Beirut. They stated that “a full investigation will be opened into this incident.”

In addition to the rulings issued against Acting Lebanese Prime Minister Neb Mikati and Lebanese Minister of Defense Maurice Salim. For his part, the person in charge of coordinating the Shiite Hezbollah militia, Awfaq Safa, indicated that the event was not “intentional” and separated the group from what happened.

UNIFIL was deployed to the country in 1978 and was restored after a 2006 conflict between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, which lasted just over a month and killed around 1,200 people in Lebanon – mostly civilians – and nearly 160 Israelis – as well as massive material damage. in the Arab country.

Resolution 1701 calls for an end to the conflict, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese Forces and UNIFIL itself in the south of the country. Likewise, he is considering disarming all armed groups in Lebanon, which would mean the presence of Hezbollah, and no other armed forces outside those of UNIFIL and Lebanon south of the Litani River, which would imply both Israel and Lebanese militias.