(Hurriyet-Turkey) The continued presence of an international peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon is increasingly dismaying locals, whose anger is reportedly being fueled by the Lebanese militant group Hizbullah, which has its stronghold in the area. "The hand that touches the weapons of the resistance will be cut," a poster reads in French, bearing the image of Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, in a clear warning to UNIFIL, the French daily Le Figaro reported Monday. UN Resolution 1701 calls for the area to be free of any armed personnel or weapons other than those of the Lebanese government and UN forces. "The French roll into the streets with their tanks. They violate our privacy," local resident Ibrahim told Le Figaro. "They take pictures and one week later we see Israel circulates more photos of villages in the south. One must assume there is a connection between them and Israel."
2010-07-22 08:06:04Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive