BEIRUT, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun strongly condemned Israel on Wednesday for allegedly spraying toxic substances over agricultural lands in southern border villages, calling the act a grave violation of sovereignty and an environmental and health crime.
In a statement released by the Lebanese presidency, Aoun denounced the incident "in the strongest terms," saying it constituted a continuation of repeated Israeli attacks. He warned that such actions threaten farmland, livelihoods, public health, and the environment.
Aoun directed the foreign ministry to prepare a documented case, in coordination with relevant ministries, as a basis for legal and diplomatic actions and for filing complaints with international bodies.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Monday that the Israeli army had informed it earlier that day of plans to carry out aerial activity involving the release of what Israel claimed to be a non-toxic chemical substance near the Blue Line -- the unofficial border between Israel and Lebanon.
UNIFIL said that the activity was unacceptable and violated the UN Security Council Resolution 1701. It said Israeli forces instructed peacekeepers to remain away from the area and stay under covered locations, forcing UNIFIL to cancel more than ten planned activities.
It warned that Israel's deliberate actions hampered the mission's ability to carry out its mandate and could endanger the health of peacekeepers and civilians.
The UN force noted that this was not the first time Israeli aircraft had dropped unknown chemical substances over Lebanon. It again called on Israel to halt all such activities and work with peacekeepers to maintain stability. ■
