More than 25 Arrested by Security Forces After Attack on UN Convoy in Lebanon

More than 25 Arrested by Security Forces After Attack on UN Convoy in Lebanon

Beirut, February 15: More than 25 individuals have been arrested in Lebanon following an attack on a United Nations peacekeeping convoy. The attack on Friday resulted in the injury of the UN force's outgoing deputy commander and a Nepalese soldier, as their vehicle was set on fire.

Lebanese officials stated on Saturday that more than 25 individuals have been arrested following the attack, and an investigation is underway to identify those responsible for the attack. Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar said, “There is no evidence to suggest that these detainees carried out the attack, but the investigation will identify those responsible.”

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has called for an investigation after one of its vehicles was set on fire in the incident, which injured deputy commander Chok Bahadur Dhakal, a Nepalese national, and a second Nepalese peacekeeper.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has vowed to bring the attackers to justice and emphasized that security forces would take strict action against anyone attempting to create instability. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also condemned the attack as a "criminal assault" and promised to arrest the perpetrators.

Videos showed some demonstrators, wearing hoods and carrying Hezbollah flags, attacking the UNIFIL vehicle and assaulting soldiers.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack, stating, “Such attacks are absolutely unacceptable… The safety and security of UN personnel and property must always be respected.”

Additionally, Israel has accused Hezbollah of using Beirut airport to transfer weapons from Iran, although Hezbollah and Lebanese officials have denied these allegations.