LOC09:03
06:03 GMT
NEW YORK, Jan 29 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed "deep" concern over the serious deterioration of security situation in Southern Lebanon and violations of the cessation of hostilities and Resolution 1701 (2006), a statement noted late Wednesday.
A rocket attack on an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) patrol killed two IDF soldiers and injured others; the attack was claimed by Hezbollah, the Israel Defense Forces retaliated.
Ban expressed deep regrets that a UN Interim Force in Lebanon peacekeeper sustained serious injuries that resulted in his death, Ban's press office said.
The UN top official expressed sincere condolences to the family of the peacekeeper who was killed and his sympathies to the Government and the people of Spain, it added.
Ban was also concerned about violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria, the statement noted.
Rockets were fired January 27, from the area of limitation on the Bravo side across the ceasefire line and the Israel Defense Forces responded with artillery fire and later an airstrike.
The Secretary General condemned all violence and called on all concerned to exercise maximum calm and restraint, to refrain from any action that could undermine the stability of the area, and to act responsibly to prevent any escalation in an already tense regional environment.
Furthermore, Ban urged respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region, and adherence to all relevant Security Council resolutions. (end)
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