LOC21:04
18:04 GMT
UNIFIL Commander Maj-Gen Luciano Portolano in a meeting with Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk
BEIRUT, Jan 26 (KUNA) -- The UN Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) is continuing efforts to maintain the border region between Lebanon and Israel "calm," UNIFIL Commander Maj-Gen Luciano Portolano said Tuesday.
The borders between Lebanon and Israel, or the Blue Line, saw escalation on both sides; exchanging rocket fires within the last two months, namely on December 20 and January 4.
"Escalation was avoided due to both sides trust in UNIFIL and their readiness to defuse tension," Portolano said in a press release after meeting a number of senior Lebanese officials.
The officials included Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, premier Tammam Salam and Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk.
The firing of rockets was considered by Portolano a serious breach of Security Council resolution number 1701, and he said he believes its aims were to de-stabilize the region.
The situation in southern Lebanon has been tense ever since Hezbollah announced that one of its senior members, Samir Al-Qintar, had been assassinated during an Israeli raid in Syria. (end)
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