Lebanese President Joseph Aoun pledged on Saturday to hold accountable those responsible for an attack on a United Nations peacekeeping convoy that injured the outgoing deputy commander.
Aoun condemned the assault and assured that the attackers would face punishment, according to a statement released by the presidency on X.
“Security forces will not be lenient with any party that attempts to destabilize or disrupt civil peace,” the statement added.
Roadblocks and Unrest
The attack occurred amid rising tensions, as Hezbollah supporters blocked the road to Lebanon’s only international airport for two consecutive nights in response to a decision barring two Iranian planes from landing in Beirut. Protests in the area turned unruly, as reported by the army on Friday.
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) demanded an investigation after one of its vehicles was set on fire during the incident, injuring outgoing deputy force commander Chok Bahadur Dhakal as he was heading home.
Response and Investigations
The Lebanese army vowed to take strong action against those responsible for the attack. Additionally, Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi convened an emergency meeting of the Central Internal Security Council on Saturday morning to address the situation.
Aoun’s statement revealed that he personally inquired about Dhakal’s condition, emphasizing that such an incident “cannot be allowed to happen again.” The statement also noted that the president had monitored the developments related to roadblocks, fires, and protests, issuing directives to the army and security forces to halt these actions. Investigations have already begun on the ground, with the judiciary involved in the process.
