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France Demands UNSC Emergency Meeting After Attacks Kill UN Peacekeepers

France has called for an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting following deadly attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the incidents, which killed Indonesian peacekeepers and injured others. He also denounced separate "unacceptable" acts of intimidation by Israeli Defense Forces against the French UNIFIL contingent. The UN force reported the origin of a fatal projectile is unknown and emphasized that the violence must end.

Key Points: France Calls UNSC Meeting After UNIFIL Peacekeepers Killed

  • France requests urgent UNSC meeting
  • Attacks kill Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeepers
  • France condemns IDF intimidation of its contingent
  • Calls for full investigation into incidents
  • Violence near Blue Line escalates
2 min read

France calls for UNSC emergency meeting after attacks killed UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon

France condemns attacks on UNIFIL in Lebanon, calls for UNSC emergency meeting and investigation after peacekeepers are killed and injured.

"Such attacks near Blue Helmet positions are unacceptable and unjustifiable. - Jean-Noël Barrot"

Paris, March 31

France on Monday called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council following a series of deadly incidents involving UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, which resulted in the death and injuries of several of its personnel.

In a statement on X, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said he had requested the urgent convening of the UNSC after what he described as "extremely serious incidents" affecting personnel of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

In his post, Barrot strongly condemned the attack on Sunday that killed an Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeeper and injured three others, as well as an explosion on Monday that resulted in the deaths of two more Indonesian peacekeepers and left two additional soldiers wounded.

"Such attacks near Blue Helmet positions are unacceptable and unjustifiable," Barrot said, extending condolences to the families of the victims and expressing solidarity with Indonesia.

He also wished a swift recovery to those injured and called for a full investigation into the incidents.

"France expresses its most sincere condolences to the families of the killed peacekeepers and its solidarity with Indonesia, and wishes a prompt recovery to the injured personnel. It calls for full light to be shed on the circumstances of these tragedies," the post added.

France further condemned separate incidents involving its own UNIFIL contingent in the Naqoura area, describing them as serious violations. Barrot said the actions, including intimidation by soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, were "unacceptable and unjustifiable", particularly as deconfliction procedures had been followed.

He added that France had conveyed its strong objections to the Israeli Ambassador in Paris.

The developments come after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that a peacekeeper was killed and another critically injured after a projectile struck a UN position near Adchit Al Qusayr in Southern Lebanon on Sunday.

UNIFIL, in its statement, said the origin of the projectile remains unknown and that an investigation has been launched and extended condolences to the family of the deceased peacekeeper and expressed hope for the recovery of the injured personnel.

"Too many lives have been lost on both sides of the Blue Line in this conflict. There is no military solution. The violence must end," the statement read.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
France is right to call for an emergency meeting. The UNSC must act decisively. When peacekeepers are targeted, it undermines the entire international security framework. India has contributed so many brave peacekeepers over the years—we know the risks they take. Full support for a thorough investigation.
A
Aman W
The report mentions intimidation by IDF soldiers against the French contingent. This is very concerning. If deconfliction procedures were followed, why such aggression? The UNSC needs to hold all parties accountable, no exceptions. Peacekeeping is not a game.
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, while the condemnation is necessary, I feel the UNSC's response is often too slow and bureaucratic. "Calling for an investigation" is standard language, but will it lead to real consequences for the perpetrators? We need more than statements; we need action to protect these brave men and women.
V
Vikram M
As an Indian, seeing news of peacekeepers from another Asian nation, Indonesia, losing their lives hits close to home. They are far from their families, serving a noble cause. The region is a tinderbox. UNIFIL's statement is correct: "There is no military solution." Dialogue is the only way forward.
K
Karthik V
The origin of the projectile is "unknown"? In this day and age, with all the surveillance? This lack of clarity is frustrating and allows blame games to start. A swift, transparent investigation is crucial. My prayers for the injured soldiers' recovery. 🙏

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