Growing tensions and confrontations in the south Lebanon between locals and the international forces, "UNIFIL," resulted in the injury of a French peacekeeping soldier. The details were reported by the Lebanese media on Wednesday. According to them, the supporters of Hizbullah threw stones at the U.N. forces in areas south of the Litany river against the backdrop of exercises carried out by UNIFIL there. As part of the protest, locals blocked roads in addition to throwing stones which led to the injury of the Frenchman near the village of Khirbat Silm.
An official source at "UNIFIL" was quoted as saying: "The incidents are very serious...the situation is very sensitive."
On his part, Hizbullah MP Ali Fayyad slammed UNIFIL, criticizing its "maneuvers." He told An-Nahar newspaper in remarks published Wednesday that residents were surprised by UNIFIL's "unprecedented" heavy military presence in villages and neighborhoods.
