UN / BLUE LINE UPDATE

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) observed “a number of flares” fired from several Israel Defence Forces (IDF) positions along the Blue Line accross from south Lebanon on Tuesday evening, a UN spokesperson said today. UNIFEED

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:39
• Production Date: 26 August 2020
• Asset Language: English
• Personal Subject: STEPHANE DUJARRIC
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON - UNIFIL
• Subject Topical: BORDER INCIDENTS; PEACE AND SECURITY; PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
• Geographic Subject: LEBANON
• MAMS Id: 2554702
• Parent Id: 2554702
• Alternate Title: unifeed200826d

Description

STORY: UN / BLUE LINE UPDATE
TRT: 01:39
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 26 AUGUST 2020, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

Shotlist

FILE - NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, United Nations Headquarters

26 AUGUST 2020, NEW YORK CITY

2. Various shots, spokesperson walks up to podium
3. Close up, photographer
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Yesterday evening, starting around 11:00 p.m., the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) observed a number of flares fired from several IDF positions along the Blue Line across from Aytarun, Ayta Ash-Sha’b, Meiss Ej Jebel, Houla, Kfar Kila and Kfar Shouba, all in south Lebanon. UNIFIL radars also detected mortars and artillery shells, as well as intense UAV activities near these areas. The Mission immediately activated its liaison and coordination channels and reinforced troops along the Blue Line. In follow up contacts, the Israel Defence Forces claimed there had been small arms fire from Lebanon directed against an IDF patrol in the general area of Manara.
5. Med shot, journalists
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“The UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major Stefano Del Col, remains in contact with the parties, urging restraint and requesting that all sides avoid any provocative action that could further escalate tensions and jeopardize the cessation of hostilities. The Mission has launched an investigation and calls on both parties to fully cooperate with UNIFIL to help determine the facts. The situation along the Blue Line has since returned to calm and UNIFIL is maintaining continuous presence in the area in coordination with the parties.”
7. Med shot, journalists

Storyline

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) observed “a number of flares” fired from several Israel Defence Forces (IDF) positions along the Blue Line accross from south Lebanon on Tuesday evening, a UN spokesperson said today. (26 Aug)

Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, told reporters in New York that UNIFIL radars “detected mortars and artillery shells, as well as intense UAV activities near these areas.”

The IDF, he said, “claimed there had been small arms fire from Lebanon directed against an IDF patrol in the general area of Manara.”

Dujarric said UNIFIL Force Commander, Major Stefano Del Col, “remains in contact with the parties, urging restraint and requesting that all sides avoid any provocative action that could further escalate tensions and jeopardize the cessation of hostilities” and the Mission has launched an investigation calling on both parties “to fully cooperate with UNIFIL to help determine the facts.”