UNIFIL to avoid looking for weapons in S. Lebanon where they are hidden

Dr. Aaron Lerner
IMRA
17 July '10

All patrols will be carried out in cooperation with the Lebanese army, UNIFIL will no longer use sniffer dogs, searches of homes will be carried out by Lebanese soldiers, and UNIFIL will avoid entering the homes and yards of the villagers in the south.

Southern Lebanon unstable as villagers turn on UN troops
UNIFIL has tried to end a series of clashes in previous few weeks during which Lebanese civilians grabbed weapons from soldiers, threw stones at them and blocked their route.
By Zvi Bar'el Haaretz Published 01:38 14.07.10
www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/southern-lebanon-unstable-as-villagers-turn-on-un-troops-1.301801

"I want to speak directly to you, without intermediaries, so there won't be misunderstandings or mistaken interpretations. As a peacekeeper, a soldier and a person who loves this nation very much ... please let me enter your lives for a minute and take a few minutes of your precious time." With these polite words, Maj. Gen. Alberto Asarta Cuevas, the commander of the UNIFIL forces in Lebanon, spoke to the Lebanese people, particularly those in the south, in an open letter in the Lebanese press.

He then asked the Lebanese to show understanding for the trouble that would likely be caused them by UNIFIL's activities. He said his forces "meant first and foremost to ensure your safety, and I promise you that there is no hidden agenda behind this activity." Cuevas explained that "the rotation of UNIFIL forces takes place every four to 12 months, so there is always a possibility that mistakes will be made, but these are only made with good intentions."

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