United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asked his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, which guarantees the security of the peacekeepers of the UNIFIL mission and the Lebanese Armed Forces after attacks on peacekeeping positions in the south of the country and the death of two Lebanese soldiers.
During a call this Saturday, Austin expressed his “deep concern about reports of attacks against positions of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, as well as reports of the deaths of two Lebanese soldiers.
“The secretary emphasized the importance of ensuring safety forces of UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces and the need to transition military operations in Lebanon to a diplomatic channel as soon as possible and feasible,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
United States President Joe Biden said Friday he had asked Israel not to attack the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), after Israeli bombings left people injured. four peacekeepers in the last two days.
