Lebanon calls on UN to probe Greek vessel violation

By Riya Shirtouni

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AA) - Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Tuesday called upon the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to investigate reasons for the violation of Lebanon's territorial waters for about seven hours by a Greek oil exploration vessel which operates for the Israeli Army.

Aoun made this call during his meeting with UNIFIL commander Maj. Gen. Stefano Del Col in the presidential palace.

The Lebanese presidency statement came following the meeting which stressed that "Lebanon rejects any violation of its legitimate rights within its territorial waters," considering that "Israeli naval violations of Lebanese sovereignty are no less dangerous than land and air violations, which Israel continues to carry out".

According to the statement, Aoun also expressed Lebanon's appreciation for the efforts of UNIFIL to preserve stability along the UN demarcated "Blue Line", and stressed on Lebanon's commitment to the UN resolution 1701, which put an end to Israeli war on Lebanon in 2006.

* Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara