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Graziano: No War Looming in the Southern Horizon

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26 September, 2009 12:17:00

UNIFIL Commander Major General Claudio Graziano reassured the Lebanese that there will be no war between Israel and Lebanon

but warned from terrorist activities that are threatening stability in the south.
"There is definitely no war in the southern horizon. This is what I confirm and I am responsible over this area with the Lebanese army," Graziano told Lebanese daily As-Safir in an interview published Saturday.

"I guarantee that peace is in safe hands unless there is a dramatic (regional) change," he added.

About the latest firing of rockets into northern Israel, the general said: "It was a moment of tension and caused some problems. But that is why there are 13,000 international soldiers on the ground in the south who work with the Lebanese army in the implementation of resolution 1701."

However, he expressed fears that the rocket firing would lead to a rise in violent operations. "For us, it is terrorism because these groups want to target stability in the region."

About Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty, Graziano said: "Regarding resolutions 1701 and 1884, they include specific articles under which the Security Council asks all parties to fully respect the (Blue) Line which we are working hard to demarcate. When this process ends through the cooperation of all sides, any possible violation ends with it."

Asked about a British yacht that reportedly headed from Jounieh port to Ashkelon, Graziano said: "Our mission in the naval forces is to prevent the illegal smuggling of weapons into Lebanon … Consequently, any boat that enters Lebanon's territorial waters would be questioned about its cargo."

"But when any boat leaves a Lebanese port, it crosses without being monitored because presumably it should carry an authorization permit from Lebanese authorities and could head to any country whether it was Israel or Cyprus or Morocco," the UNIFIL commander added.

He finally stressed that UNIFIL has no problems with any side and works for the interest of all Lebanese parties.

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