UN chief urges restraint amid escalation on Lebanon-Israel border

By Mohammad Tarek

ANKARA (AA) – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has voiced concern over the recent escalation on the Lebanese-Israeli borders, including the firing of rockets and Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon.

"The secretary-general expresses his deep concern about the recent escalation between Lebanon and Israel across the Blue Line, including rocket fire into Israel and return airstrikes and artillery fire into Lebanon," his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

Guterres urged "all parties to exercise utmost restraint," and to “avoid actions that can further heighten tensions and lead to miscalculation," according to Dujarric.

On Friday, Lebanese group Hezbollah announced responsibility for rocket firing on Israeli targets in the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms in southern Lebanon, saying it was in response to Israeli raids on Lebanon.

The Israeli army also said in a statement that Hezbollah fired 19 rockets on Shebaa Farms but didn't report any casualties.

Lebanon said on Thursday it will lodge a complaint with the UN Security Council over the Israeli raids.

* Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara