UN, U.S. condemn rocket firing into Israel from Lebanon

Source: Xinhua | 01-09-2009 08:36

UNITED NATIONS/WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations and the United States on Thursday condemned the firing of rockets into northern Israel from Lebanon as a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and urged exercise of restraint.

A man inspects the damage to a building caused by Katyusha  rockets fired from Lebanon, in Nahariya, northern Israel,  Jan. 8, 2009. Several rockets pounded northern Israel  Thursday morning, causing light injuries. Israeli forces  fought back shortly by firing mortars across the border.  (Xinhua/Moran Mayan)

In a statement issued by his press office, UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the firing of rockets against Israel from southern Lebanon, adding that he felt relieved the incident did not escalate.

The UN chief urged "both parties to exercise maximum restraint" and reminded the parties of "their obligation to fully adhere to Security Council resolution 1701 and respect the cessation of hostilities agreement," according to the statement.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood said the incident was "clearly a violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701." "We condemn the attack that took place into Israel," he told a press briefing.