U.N. Secretary-General 'Alarmed' by 'Intensity' of Violence in Lebanon

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has expressed alarm over the recent deterioration in the security situation in Lebanon that has seen the largest spillover from the more than two-year conflict in Syria.

“The Secretary-General is alarmed by developments in Lebanon, the spill-over effect from Syria,” his spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters at the U.N. headquarters on Monday.

He said U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly had expressed concern last week on the spillover.

Ban “shares those concerns,” Nesirky said. “It is extremely troubling to see the level of violence and the intensity there.”

Despite an official position of neutrality, Lebanon has become increasingly embroiled in the conflict in Syria.

Hizbullah members have been fighting alongside government troops, particularly around the central town of Qusayr near Lebanon's border, while volunteers have been sent to Syria to fight alongside the rebels.

Also violence in the northern city of Tripoli, pitting Alawite backers of Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime against Sunni supporters of the uprising against him, has left scores of casualties in recent weeks.