The Higher Defense Council stressed on Friday consolidated measures to prevent arms smuggling and preserve the safety of U.N. peacekeepers deployed in the South.

The council, which met at Baabda palace under President Michel Suleiman, said in a short statement that “discussions focused on the security situation in the country in general and the role of the army, Internal Security Forces and the rest of security apparatuses in preserving the nation.”

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon spokesman Neeraj Singh said on Thursday the security situation in Southern Lebanon differs strategically from the situation in 2006 thanks to the UNIFIL.

“The UNIFIL formed a strong deterrent against any renewal of hostile attacks along with the Lebanese army efforts,” Singh told the Kuwaiti An Nahar newspaper.

A debate has erupted in France between sides supporting the withdrawal of French troops from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and others who advocate maintaining them.

Diplomatic sources told the Central News Agency on Tuesday that the former are questioning the purpose of retaining the troops in light of the repeated attacks against it by terrorist groups whose identity and goals remain unknown.

U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy has ruled out Hizbullah allegations that its ownership of weapons has increased fivefold.

During his final press conference in New York, Le Roy said that Hizbullah is probably better organized but he ruled out that it owns fivefold of weapons it used to own before.

The Maronite Bishops Council condemned on Wednesday the attacks on private properties, urging the Lebanese to preserve their land “because they are the basis of their identity and history.”

It said in a statement after its monthly meeting, headed by Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi: “We demand the state to protect these properties according to the constitution and take the necessary security measures to prevent future attacks.”

France might decrease its presence in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) after the attack that targeted its contingents in the southern city of sidon, An Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Three French U.N. peacekeepers were wounded last week in a roadside bombing near Sidon, and another three suffered hearing problems.

UNIFIL is carrying out an impartial investigation into the shooting incident between the Lebanese and Israeli troops, spokesman Neeraj Singh said on Wednesday.

“The situation along the Blue Line is calm and under control,” he told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati expressed fear on Tuesday over the ongoing Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty, urging the United Nations to demand Israel to implement Security Council resolution 1701.

Miqati stressed after meeting with U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams that Lebanon will defend its rights and protect its sovereignty with all the available means.

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Michael Williams, voiced on Tuesday his concern over the July 26 attack against French soldiers in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, revealing that it “generated very considerable concern in France and all the troop contributing countries.”

He said after holding talks with Prime Minister Najib Miqati: “It is imperative that the Lebanese government take concrete and firm action on this.”

Israeli troops deployed 10 tanks and bulldozers before midnight Monday and began erecting earth mounds at the technical fence in the Wazzani area where they clashed with Lebanese troops the same day.

Media reports said Tuesday that the move led to a state of alert among Lebanese and UNIFIL troops on Army Day.