Austria warns against withdrawal of UNIFIL forces from southern Lebanon

Klaudia Tanner, Austria's Minister of Defence, has warned that withdrawing or failing to fulfil the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon would jeopardise the credibility of the United Nations, especially during this critical period. The Austrian minister reaffirmed the determination of European countries contributing troops to the UNIFIL mission to remain united in continuing the UN mission in southern Lebanon, despite the increasing attacks on UN peacekeepers. Following her participation in a conference of representatives from the 16 European countries contributing to the UNIFIL mission, the minister urged all parties in the conflict to cease fighting and stop misusing UN forces as targets. She highlighted the mission's important role as a neutral observer in documenting the situation in the operational area. Source: Emirates News Agency