Ban Voices Concern over Syrian Shelling in Lebanese Territories

U.N. leader Ban Ki-Moon expressed “grave concern” over the “serious” cross-border incidents between Syria and Lebanon, calling on Damascus to respect the neighboring country's sovereignty.

U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky quoted the secretary-general as saying on Wednesday night that the reported Syrian strikes in the Lebanese eastern town of Arsal are a violation of the country's sovereignty.

Ban called on President Bashar Assad forces to “respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon in accordance with Security Council resolution 1559, 1680 and 1701.”

The shelling came as President Michel Suleiman condemned Syria for carrying out the "unacceptable" air strikes on Monday.

He tasked Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour with sending a message of protest to “the Syrian side so that such operations are not repeated.”

Syria denied it was responsible for the attacks.

Last week, in a rare united declaration on the Syrian conflict, the U.N. Security Council unanimously expressed “grave concern.”

The 15-member body, bitterly divided over the Syrian conflict, expressed "deep concern" over the fallout from the Syrian conflict on stability in Lebanon.

The violence in Syria has increasingly spilled over into Lebanon, with cross-border shelling in the north and east.