Photo released by the Lebanese Prime Minister's press office on November 24, 2024, shows Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati (R) meeting with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Beirut.    (Photo by AFP)

Beirut, November 26 (RHC)-- Lebanon has condemned a recent Israeli attack on United Nations peacekeepers, saying it amounts to a “brazen rejection” of ceasefire efforts.

The 10,000-strong United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Monday that in the latest attack on a UNIFIL base last week four of the Italian soldiers of the UN force had been wounded.  “The messages of the Israeli enemy ... a brazen rejection of the solution being discussed,” Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said.

Mikati said the Tel Aviv regime was sabotaging all peace efforts.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said on Monday it was imperative to maintain the safety and security of the UN peacekeeping forces.  Speaking at a news conference in the Italian capital city Rome, he said the Lebanese government condemns any attack on the UN peace monitors. "Lebanon strongly condemns any attacks on UNIFIL and calls on all parties to respect the safety, security of their troops and locations."

Bou Habib spoke before attending a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Anagni, southeast of Rome, along with other colleagues from West Asia, scheduled to discuss the conflict in the region.

"Lebanon condemned the recent attack on the Italian contingent and regretted the unjustified hostilities," he said.

Italy said that in a rocket attack on Friday at one of the UNIFIL bases in Shama, southwest Lebanon, four soldiers were injured.

UNIFIL has refused to retreat from its positions, repeatedly calling for maintaining a ceasefire.  The latest attack was the third time the UNIFIL base was hit in a week.