Mikati: Whoever is found guilty of the killing of the Irish soldier "will be punished"
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced, during his visit to the headquarters of the international forces operating in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL, today that investigations are continuing into the killing of the Irish soldier from UNIFIL, and whoever is found guilty will receive his punishment.
Mikati's solidarity visit to UNIFIL's general headquarters in the town of Naqoura, south Lebanon, accompanied by the Lebanese Army Commander, Joseph Aoun, comes after the killing of a member of the Irish battalion and the wounding of three others in the town of Al-Aqibiya, south Lebanon, according to a statement issued by Mikati's official website.
UNIFIL Commander-in-Chief, General Aroldo Lazaro, received Mikati and Aoun, during which they discussed the incident, its circumstances, and the situation in the south, in addition to an explanation of UNIFIL's operations and activities in cooperation with the army.
Mikati said in a statement, "The environment in which the international soldiers work is a good environment, and investigations are continuing into the killing of the Irish soldier, and whoever is found guilty will receive his punishment."
He added, "Lebanon is committed to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, respects international resolutions, and calls on the United Nations to compel Israel to fully implement it and stop its repeated aggressions against Lebanon and its violations of its sovereignty by land, sea and air."
The Lebanese Prime Minister continued, "We express our deep sorrow over the incident, and the necessary investigations are continuing to uncover the circumstances of the incident, and it is necessary to avoid its recurrence in the future."
"We express our great appreciation for UNIFIL's contribution to peace and stability in southern Lebanon, and I am here to confirm once again that the Lebanese people, and I personally, deeply appreciate the work you are doing, along with the army, to maintain peace and calm in the south," he said.
The Irish soldier was killed last Wednesday night in an accident in the town of Al-Aqibiya, outside UNIFIL's area of operations in southern Lebanon, and three other soldiers were wounded.
An investigation has been opened into the accident.
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