BEIRUT: Foreign minister of Brazil during a visit to Beirut has called on Israel to stop its attacks on southern Lebanon.
Mauro Vieira, who is on regional tour, was welcomed to the Lebanese capital by Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
The foreign minister denounced Israel for violating international resolutions during its war on Hamas and clashes with Hezbollah on Lebanon’s southern border.
Brazil is part of the UN peacekeeping military unit in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL. Vieira briefed Mikati on the outcome of his visits to regional countries and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
He said that Brazil, is aiming to solidify Palestine’s membership in the United Nations.
His remarks came as Maj. Gen. Aroldo Lazaro, UNIFIL’s head of mission and force commander, urged all parties involved in skirmishes across southern Lebanon to respect the UN resolutions.
Israeli shelling and attacks in Lebanon stopped UNIFIL from commemorating the 46th anniversary of its establishment.
The UN Security Council established UNIFIL under Resolutions 425 and 426 on March 19, 1978, to oversee Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon and support the Lebanese government.
Lazaro paid rich tribute to civilian and military peacekeepers on Tuesday who have served the peace mission over the years.
In a speech, he said that current developments have challenged Resolution 1701. He added that more than 10,000 UN peacekeepers from 49 nations continue their monitoring, de-escalation and liaison work.
Lazaro’s remarks follow increasing concern over Israeli attacks on the border region. In some cases, artillery shells have hit targets close to UNIFIL positions, causing minor injuries to several peacekeepers.
UNIFIL has repeatedly voiced concerns over the increasing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
