World

Lebanon files UN complaint over Israeli herbicide spraying in border areas

At the time, the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon said Israel had notified it of its plans to spray a “non-toxic chemical substance” near the border and had warned peacekeepers to take shelter.

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun had denounced the spraying as a “flagrant violation of Lebanese sovereignty and a crime against the environment and health”.

The ministry statement also said Lebanon had complained to the Security Council about ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon, including “the targeting of a Lebanese army vehicle” earlier this month that killed two on-duty officers and a soldier.

Noting ongoing direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon aimed at ending the hostilities, the statement said, “Israel’s targeting of Lebanese army personnel directly undermines these diplomatic efforts.”

In April, Israel and Lebanon began landmark direct talks in Washington seeking to halt the hostilities, with another round scheduled later this month between the two countries, which have no formal diplomatic relations.

Military delegations from the two countries also held security talks at the Pentagon last month.

RelatedTRT World – UN raises alarm over reports of Israel spraying herbicide near Lebanon border