Le Roy: UNIFIL Took ‘Precautionary Measures’ to Confront any Possible Deterioration of Situation

U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Affairs Alain Le Roy expressed “deep concern” over the situation in Lebanon and said UNIFIL has taken “precautionary measures” to confront any possible deterioration.

“We are deeply concerned over the political developments particularly in Beirut,” Le Roy said in New York on Thursday.

“We are taking precautionary measures,” he said.

Asked about Israeli warnings from a deterioration of the situation on the Lebanese-Israeli border, Le Roy said: “We haven’t seen any suspicious movement on the border between Lebanon and Israel.”

He said UNIFIL’s mission is to guarantee that the U.N.-drawn Blue Line won’t be affected by any deterioration.

UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti stressed on Thursday that peacekeepers did not make changes to the “security and protection” measures that they had already taken.

“UNIFIL has already taken comprehensive security and protection measures. No changes were made” following the collapse of the Lebanese government, Tenenti told As Safir daily.