New Delhi, April 18: India has strongly condemned the attack on French peacekeepers deployed under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Saturday. The nation is calling for a thorough investigation into the incident and demands that those responsible be brought to justice.
Earlier in the day, one French soldier was killed, and three others were injured, as confirmed by French President Emmanuel Macron.
In a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, it said, “We strongly condemn the attack on French peacekeepers deployed with UNIFIL. We pay tribute to the fallen ‘Blue Helmet’ and wish for the swift recovery of the three injured peacekeepers.”
The statement further emphasized, “India has played a significant role in advancing United Nations Security Council Resolution 2589, which addresses accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. We urge the Lebanese government to conduct an immediate investigation into this attack, bring the perpetrators to justice, and ensure accountability for this crime.”
India reiterated the importance of maintaining the safety and sanctity of UN premises and personnel, appealing to all parties to ensure the security of peacekeepers deployed under the orders of the UN Security Council.
According to President Macron, the deceased soldier was part of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment, and the three injured soldiers have been moved to a safe location. He expressed on the social media platform X, “The nation pays respect to our soldiers and stands with their families and all military personnel working for peace in Lebanon.”
Macron also indicated that initial signs suggest Hezbollah’s involvement in the attack. He called on Lebanese authorities to promptly arrest the culprits and fulfill their responsibilities.
The UNIFIL reported that the attack occurred while a patrol was working to remove explosives from the roadside in the village of Ghindouriya, aiming to restore contact with isolated UNIFIL positions.
During this operation, non-state actors opened fire with small arms. The attack resulted in the death of one peacekeeper, while three others were injured, two of whom are reported to be in serious condition.
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