Ban concerned at Israel''s refusal to admit responsibility for oil spill off Lebanon

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 15 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday expressed "grave concern" at Israel's refusal to admit responsibility and to pay compensation for the oil spill off the Lebanese shore during the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel.
In a report requested by the General Assembly, Ban commended Lebanon for its ongoing efforts to address the impact of the oil spill.
"There is, however, grave concern at the lack of acknowledgment on the part of the Government of Israel of its responsibilities vis-@-vis reparations and compensation to the Government and people of Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic affected by the oil spill".
The marine oil spill resulted in the release of about 15,000 tons of fuel oil into the Mediterranean Sea, leading to the contamination of about 150 km of coastline in Lebanon and partly in Syria.
Ban expressed satisfaction that the response of the international donor community to that spill has been "both generous and timely".
Nonetheless, given the particularity of the cause and the prevailing circumstances of the Lebanese oil spill case, Ban urged Member States, international organizations, international and regional financial institutions, and the private sector to continue their support for Lebanon in this matter, particularly for rehabilitation activities on the Lebanese coast and in the broader recovery efforts.
Ban also noted that the oil spill off the Lebanese shore is not covered by any of the international oil spill compensation funds and thus "merits special consideration". (end) sj.rk KUNA 152310 Sep 10NNNN