Amal, Hizbullah Slam Attacks on UNIFIL, Express Commitment to Mission

The Amal movement and Hizbullah leaderships have slammed what they called the “evil hands” that have targeted U.N. peacekeepers in the South and launched a rocket from Lebanese territories.

Following a meeting held by their leaderships at the movement’s offices in the city of Tyre, Amal and Hizbullah stressed commitment to the role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon that supports the Lebanese army in accordance with Security Council resolution 1701.

The statement came days after five French peacekeepers were injured in a roadside bombing that targeted their vehicle near Tyre. It also came after a rocket apparently fired towards Israel landed in Lebanese territory, injuring a woman.

The statement asked security and judicial agencies to speed up their investigation into the incidents and find the suspects.

Hizbullah on Monday denied French accusations that it was behind the attack on the French troops and urged Paris to reconsider laying the blame on the group and its Syrian backers.

Wednesday’s statement said the current circumstances are a sign that “internal unity is an urgent need,” stressing patriotism is about exerting efforts to remove barriers among the Lebanese and not the other way around.