Mideast situation/Lebanon – Letter from Lebanon

Letter dated 11 January 1999 from the Permanent Representative of

Lebanon to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

On instructions from my Government and further to our earlier letters concerning Israel's attacks on southern Lebanon and the Western Bekaa and the arbitrary practices against the civilian inhabitants in which it engages on a daily basis, I have the honour to notify you of the series of such incidents that took place in December 1998.

1 December 1998

Between 0730 and 0900 hours occupying Israeli forces and the client Lahad militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 12-mm mortar shells at the outskirts of Luwayzah and at Mazra`at Uqmata, Mlita hill, Jabal Safi and Jabal al-Rafi` from their positions at Zafatah, Ksarat al-Urush, Bi'r Kilab and Hula.

Between 1300 and 1600 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the South at high altitude.

Between 1850 and 2040 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells, 120-mm and 81-mm mortar shells and direct-fire projectiles at outlying areas of Jarju` and at Jabal Sujud and Jabal al-Rafi` from their positions at Tall Ya`qub, Zafatah and Ksarat al-Urush.

Between 2040 and 2200 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the Iqlim al-Tuffah area at high altitude.

2 December 1998

Between 0100 and 0350 hours the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Haddatha and Rshaf from its positions at Shaqif al-Naml and Ruways.

Between 0450 and 0600 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

Between 1000 and 1200 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South, the Bekaa, the Shuf and Alayh at various altitudes.

At 1920 hours the client militia fired several 81-mm mortar shells at areas around its positions in Kurum al-Arz.

3 December 1998

Between 1000 and 1230 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the Western Bekaa, the South and the Shuf at high altitudes.

Between 1540 and 1630 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the Tyre and Tibnin areas at high altitude.

At 1745 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

Between 1750 and 2130 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at Mlita hill, areas along the Tasah Spring, Jabal Rafi` and outlying areas of Rshaf and Tiri from their positions at Tall Ya`qub, Saff al-Hawa, Ksarat al-Urush, Sujud and Rayhan.

4 December 1998

Between 0730 and 0830 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at the outskirts of Luwayzah, Mazra`at Uqmata, Mlita hill, Jabal Safi and Jabal al-Rafi` from their positions at Zafatah, Ksarat al-Urush, Bi'r Kilab and Hula.

Between 1315 and 1620 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 120-mm and 81-mm mortar shells at areas around their positions at Ksarat al-Urush and on Sujud and Radar hills.

Between 1850 and 2100 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Jarju` and areas along the Tasah Spring from their positions at Tall Ya`qub, Zafatah and Ksarat al-Urush.

5 December 1998

Between 1000 and 1230 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the Western Bekaa, the South and the Shuf at high altitudes.

Between 1540 and 1630 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the Tyre and Tibnin areas at high altitude, and Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Yatar and Jibal al-Butm from a position at Bustan inside occupied Palestine.

At 1745 hours three Israeli gunboats off Rashidiyah camp fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

Between 1750 and 2130 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells, 120-mm mortar shells and direct-fire projectiles at Mlita hill, areas along the Tasah Spring, the outskirts of Sujud and Ksarat al-Urush, Jabal al-Rafi`, outlying areas of Rshaf and Tiri, and Mazra`at al-Hamra from their positions at Tall Ya`qub, Saff al-Hawa, Ksarat al-Urush, Sujud, Rayhan and Zafatah.

6 December 1998

Between 0100 and 0700 hours the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at the lowland area between Yuhmur and Mazra`at al-Hamra from its position at Zafatah.

Between 0400 and 0600 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

Between 1000 and 1235 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South, the Western Bekaa, the Shuf and Alayh at various altitudes.

Between 1215 and 1610 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South and the coastal area of the Shuf at various altitudes and carried out mock attacks over Jabal al-Rafi` and Jabal Sujud.

At 1920 hours the client militia fired two 81-mm mortar shells at the area around its position in Kurum al-Arz from its position on Tahrah hill.

Between 2015 and 2115 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at Wadi al-Qaysiyah and outlying areas of Khirbat Silm from their positions at Tall Ya`qub and Zafatah.

7 December 1998

Between 0030 and 0530 hours the client militia fired several 81-mm and 120-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Haddatha, Rshaf, Tiri and Bra`shit from its positions at Brak al-Hajj, Ruwaysat al-Jamus and Shaqif al-Naml.

Between 0430 and 0535 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

At 1250 hours Israeli warplanes overflew Qilya and Dallafah at various altitudes.

At 1530 hours the client militia fired three direct-fire projectiles at outlying areas of Arabsalim from its position on Tahrah hill.

8 December 1998

Between 0500 and 0530 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

Between 1610 and 2100 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at areas along the Zahrani River, Jabal al-Rafi`, Mazra`at Uqmata and Rum hill from their positions at Zafatah, Rum hill, Ksarat al-Urush and Sujud and Razlan hills.

Between 1740 and 1925 hours the client militia fired 10 120-mm mortar shells at Jabal Abu Rashid from its position on Ahmadiyah hill.

At 2225 hours Israeli forces fired four 155-mm artillery shells at Wadi al-Qaysiyah from their position at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal.

9 December 1998

Between 0815 and 1200 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at Jabal al-Rafi` from their positions at Ksarat al-Urush, Zafatah, Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort) and Rum hill.

Between 1015 and 1140 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South, Mount Lebanon and the Western Bekaa at high and low altitudes while breaking the sound barrier.

Between 1305 and 1335 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Yatar, Zibqin and Majdal Zun from their position at Tall Ya`qub and from a point inside Israeli territory to the south of Bustan.

Between 1640 and 1650 hours Israeli forces south of Bustan fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Jibal al-Butm and Zibqin.

At 1205 hours Israeli forces fired 15 155-mm artillery shells at areas along the Litani River from their position at Abu Qamhah.

10 December 1998

Between 0430 and 0600 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

Between 0945 and 1155 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at Sujud hill and areas along the Tasah Spring from their positions at Zafatah, Ksarat al-Urush and Bi'r Kilab.

Between 1300 and 1345 hours Israeli forces fired eight 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Yatar, Zibqin, Jibal al-Butm, Mjadal Zun and Mansuri from their position at Tall Ya`qub and from inside the occupied Palestinian territory.

Between 1745 and 2315 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South and Mount Lebanon at high altitudes, dropping illumination flares in the Zahrani and Na`imah areas.

11 December 1998

Between 1100 and 1130 hours an Israeli aircraft overflew the Nabatiyah area at high altitude.

At 1110 hours the client militia fired three 120-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Haddatha and Rshaf from its position at Saff al-Hawa.

Between 1220 and 1325 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the Nabatiyah and Iqlim al-Tuffah areas at high altitude.

Between 1515 and 1615 hours Israeli forces fired several 120-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Yatar from their position at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal and from inside the occupied territory.

Between 2010 and 2015 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired nine 155-mm artillery shells at Wadi al-Qaysiyah and outlying areas of Haddatha from their positions at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal and Shaqif al-Naml.

12 December 1998

Between 1230 and 1310 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Haddatha and Yatar from their positions at Shaqif al-Naml and Bawwabat Yarin.

Between 1325 and 1350 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the Sidon and Iqlim al-Tuffah areas at high altitudes, and Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at Jabal al-Rafi` and the area around Sujud hill from their positions at Shurayfah and on the Razlan hills.

Between 1800 and 1915 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at Jabal al-Rafi`, the Yuhmur lowland, Shaqif, Mazra`at al-Hamra and outlying areas of Majdal Zun from their positions at Shurayfah, Tall Ya`qub, Markaba, Bayt Yahun and Shaqif al-Naml.

13 December 1998

For unknown reasons, the client militia's Bayt Yahun crossing remained closed to passage in both directions.

Between 0800 and 1200 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired four 155-mm artillery shells and three direct-fire projectiles at Wadi al-Hujayr and outlying areas of Majdal Zun and Yuhmur from their positions at Tall Ya`qub, Sal`ah and Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort).

At 1230 hours Israeli warplanes attacked areas along the Litani River, firing 12 air-to-surface missiles.

Between 1405 and 1545 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Zibqin and Jibal al-Butm from their positions at Tall Ya`qub and Ksarat al-Urush.

Between 2235 and 2310 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the area to the east of Sidon at high altitude.

14 December 1998

Between 0300 and 0530 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

Between 1000 and 1230 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Shaqra, Majdal Zun, Ayn Bu Siwar, Jarju` and Mlikh from their positions at Shurayfah, Zafatah and Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal and on Razlan hill.

Between 1235 and 1345 hours Israeli forces fired eight 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Mansuri, Majdal Zun, Haddatha and Haris from their position at Tall Ya`qub.

15 December 1998

At 1430 hours Israeli forces fired three 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Majdal Zun and Mansuri from their position at Tall Ya`qub.

At 1605 hours the client militia directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at areas around the Anan pool from its position on Anan hill.

At 1740 hours the client militia fired three 155-mm artillery shells at the area around the abandoned Army barracks in Nabatiyah from its position at Zafatah.

Between 2040 and 2055 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired five 155-mm artillery shells and four 81-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Tiri and Haddatha from their positions at Tall Ya`qub and Ruwaysat al-Jamus.

16 December 1998

Between 1050 and 1130 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South and the Shuf at high altitudes.

Between 1325 and 1350 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Yatar, Jibal al-Butm and Majdal Zun from their position at Tall Ya`qub and from Bawwabat al-Bustan, inside the occupied territory.

At 1505 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 120-mm and 81-mm mortar shells at Mazra`at Uqmata and areas along the Tasah Spring from their positions at Bi'r Kilab and Ksarat al-Urush.

Between 1700 and 2000 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the South at high altitude.

At 1740 hours Israeli forces fired seven 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Shaqra and Majdal Silm from their position at Bawwabat Kawkaba.

17 December 1998

Between 0015 and 0430 hours Israeli forces fired several 81-mm mortar shells and directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at areas around Qasr Ghandur and the abandoned Army barracks in Nabatiyah al-Fawqa from their position on Dabshah hill.

Between 1130 and 1200 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the area to the east of Sidon at high altitude.

Between 1300 and 1320 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells at the outskirts of Yatar, Majdal Zun and Hinniyah from their position at Tall Ya`qub and from a point south of Bustan inside the occupied territory.

Between 1620 and 1740 hours the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Jba` from its position at Zafatah.

18 December 1998

At 0445 hours Israeli forces fired four 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Yatar from their position at Tall Ya`qub.

At 0630 hours Israeli forces fired several 81-mm mortal shells and directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at areas around their position on Dabshah hill.

Between 1255 and 1325 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Yatar, Mansuri, Zibqin, Majdal Zun and Jabal al-Rafi` from their position at Tall Ya`qub and from Bustan, inside Israeli territory.

At 1930 hours an Israeli gunboat off Rashidiyah fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

At 2000 hours the client militia fired three rocket-propelled grenades at the Mays wadi from its position on Ayn Qinya hill.

19 December 1998

Between 0400 and 0600 hours two Israeli gunboats off the Abu al-Aswad locality and Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

At 0930 hours the militia fired several 120-mm mortar shells at Mazra`at al-Hamra and the Murabba` area from its position at Zafatah.

At 1050 hours Israeli forces fired four 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Majdal Silm from their position at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal.

Between 1115 and 1200 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South, the Western Bekaa, the North and the Shuf at high altitudes while breaking the sound barrier.

Between 1720 and 1910 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Haddatha, Shaqra and Majdal Silm from their positions at Tall Ya`qub, Saff al-Hawa, Bawwabat Mays al Jabal and Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort).

20 December 1998

Between 1215 and 1220 hours the client militia fired several 120-mm mortar shells at the area around Sujud hill from its position on Razlan hill.

Between 1300 and 1400 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Yatar and Majdal Zun from their position at Tall Ya`qub and from south of Bustan, inside the occupied territory.

At 1915 and 1920 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired two 81-mm mortar shells, several bursts of medium-weapons fire and a direct-fire projectile at the areas around their positions at Sala`ah and Qusayr.

Between 2200 and 2320 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Kafra, Yatar, Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Zawtar al-Gharbiyah and Mazra`at al-Hamra from their positions at Shurayfah, Tall Ya`qub, Rshaf and Shaqif al-Naml.

21 December 1998

The client militia's Kafr Tibnit crossing remained closed to vehicles and pedestrians in both directions.

Between 0900 and 1030 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm and 130-mm artillery shells at Jabal Bir al-Dahr and outlying areas of Qilya and Zillaya from their positions at Ayn Qinya, Abu Qamhah, Shurayfah and Zaghlah.

Between 1125 and 1140 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the Nabatiyah, Iqlim al-Tuffah and Sidon areas at high altitudes.

At 1930 hours Israeli forces fired several direct-fire projectiles and 120-mm mortar shells at the outskirts of Mlikh, areas along the Tasah Spring and Mazra`at Uqmata from their position at Ksarat al-Urush.

At 2015 hours the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at areas along the Bisri River and Ruwaysat al-Kassarat from its positions at Anan hill and Dahr al-Ramlah.

22 December 1998

Between 1040 and 1150 hours the client militia fired two 120-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Bayt Yahun and Ayta al-Jabal from its position at Saff al-Hawa.

At 1435 hours Israeli warplanes attacked Janta and Yahfufa with the result that in Janta an entire family was wiped out, namely the wife and six children of Muhammad Amin al-Uthman.

Between 1445 and 1930 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 81-mm and 120-mm mortar shells and 155-mm artillery shells at Wadi Habbush, Wadi al-Saluqi and areas around Anan, Tahrah and Dabshah hills from their positions at Zafatah, Hula and Markaba and on those same hills.

Between 1525 and 1545 hours the client militia fired three 81-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Haddatha and Rshaf from its position at Shaqif al-Naml.

Between 1800 and 1940 hours Israeli forces fired three 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Majdal Silm and Shaqra from their positions at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal and Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort).

23 December 1998

At 0900 hours Israeli forces fired six 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Tulin and Wadi al-Qaysiyah from their positions at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal and Markaba and on Dabshah hill.

At 1220 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Kafra, Zibqin and Jibal al-Butm from their position at Tall Ya`qub.

Between 1330 and 1430 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South at high altitudes.

At 1840 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 81-mm and 120-mm mortar shells at areas around Suwayda hill and outlying areas of Mazra`at al-Hamra from their positions at Zafatah and on Dabshah and Burj hills.

At 2100 hours Israeli forces fired eight 155-mm artillery shells at the outskirts of Zillaya from their position at Abu Qamhah.

24 December 1998

Between 0910 and 1040 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the Nabatiyah, Iqlim al-Tuffah and Sidon East areas at high altitude.

Between 1010 and 1035 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South at high altitudes.

At 1210 hours Israeli forces fired nine 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Sawwanah and Majdal Silm and at Wadi al-Qaysiyah from their position at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal.

At 2145 hours the client militia fired an 81-mm mortar shell and directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at outlying areas of Mays from its position in Ayn Qinya.

25 December 1998

Between 0220 and 0625 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at the outskirts of Sujud and Rafi` from their positions at Zafatah and Bi'r Kilab.

At 1320 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Yatar, Jibal al-Butm, Zibqin and Izziyah from their position at Tall Ya`qub.

Between 1400 and 1500 hours the client militia fired several 120-mm shells at areas around Sujud hill from its position on Razlan hill.

Between 1630 and 2030 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at areas around Sujud hill, outlying areas of Qabrikha, Jabal al-Rafi` and the outskirts of Luwayzah from their positions at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal, Ksarat al-Urush, Zafatah and Razlan hill.

At 2205 hours the client militia fired several 81-mm mortar shells at areas around its positions on Anan and Rum hills.

26 December 1998

Between 0340 and 0700 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at Wadi Habbush and outlying areas of Yuhmur from their positions at Zafatah and on Dabshah, Suwayda and Burj hills.

Between 0515 and 0600 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft overflew the area to the east of Sidon at high altitude.

Between 1240 and 2100 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 81-mm and 120-mm mortar shells and directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at Jabal al-Rafi`, Wadi Habbush and the outskirts of Sujud from their positions on Burj, Tahrah, Razlan and Dabshah hills.

Between 2200 and 2210 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several illumination flares over their position on Rum hill.

27 December 1998

Between 0005 and 0630 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 81-mm mortar shells at outlying areas of Majdal Zun from their positions on Rum and Dabshah hills.

Between 0315 and 0530 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

Between 0400 and 0500 hours some 50 81-mm shells fired from client militia positions on Mashnaqah hill and in Zafatah fell in the vicinity of Anan village.

Between 1030 and 1050 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South, Mount Lebanon and the Bekaa at high altitudes.

Between 1250 and 1255 hours the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Yuhmur al-Shaqif and Mazra`at al-Hamra from its position at Zafatah.

28 December 1998

Between 1005 and 1305 Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm mortar shells at Jabal al-Rafi` and the outskirts of Mlikh from their positions at Zafatah and Ksarat al-Urush and on Sujud hill.

Between 1410 and 1505 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 120-mm and 81-mm mortar shells at Jabal al-Rafi`, outlying areas of Jba` and areas along the Tasah Spring from their positions at Zafatah, Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort) and Ksarat al-Urush.

At 1540 hours the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells, 120-mm mortar shells and direct-fire projectiles at outlying areas of Jba`, areas along the Tasah Spring and Jabal al-Rafi` from its positions at Zafatah and on Razlan hill.

At 2130 and 2240 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired two 155-mm artillery shells and an 81-mm mortar shell at Mazra`at Uqmata, Jabal al-Rafi` and areas along the Zahrani River from their positions at Zafatah and Ksarat al-Urush and on Suwayda hill.

29 December 1998

Between 0430 and 0530 hours an Israeli gunboat off Mansuri fired several bursts of medium-weapons fire in all directions.

Between 0635 and 0650 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 81-mm and 120-mm mortar shells at the abandoned Army barracks in Nabatiyah, at the Yuhmur lowland and at outlying areas of Mayfadun and Jabal al-Rafi` from its positions at Zafatah and Tayyibah and on Dabshah hill.

Between 1615 and 1635 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells at outlying areas of Zibqin and Majdal Zun from their position at Tall Ya`qub and from south of Bustan, inside the occupied territory.

Between 2020 and 2030 hours Israeli forces fired three 155-mm artillery shells at Wadi al-Saluqi from their position at Bawwabat Markaba.

Between 2245 and 2300 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several direct-fire projectiles and 120-mm mortar shells at Sujud hill, outlying areas of Jba` and areas around Razlan hill from their positions at Ksarat al-Urush and on Razlan hill itself.

30 December 1998

At 1140 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells at Mazra`at al-Hamra and nearby areas from their position at Shurayfah.

At 1410 hours Israeli forces fired several 155-mm artillery shells at Jabal al-Rafi` from their position at Shurayfah.

Between 1640 and 1735 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and direct-fire projectiles at the outskirts of Mlikh, areas along the Tasah Spring, Mazra`at Uqmata and Wadi Arabsalim from their positions at Shurayfah and on Suwayda hill.

At 2225 and 2320 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells at areas around their positions on Razlan and Tahrah hills.

31 December 1998

At 0020 hours Israeli forces fired four direct-fire projectiles at Jabal Bir al-Dahr from their position on Zaghlah hill.

At 1055 hours the client militia strafed the area around its position on Burj hill with medium-weapons fire.

Between 1300 and 1500 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South at high altitudes.

Between 1645 and 2315 hours Israeli forces and the client militia fired several 155-mm artillery shells and 81-mm and 120-mm mortar shells and directed several bursts of medium-weapons fire at outlying areas of Shaqra and Majdal Silm, at areas along the Bisri River and at the abandoned Army barracks in Nabatiyah from their positions at Bawwabat Mays al-Jabal and Qal`at al-Shaqif (Château de Beaufort) and on Dabshah and Tahrah hills.

The Lebanese Government strongly condemns the continued Israeli occupation and the fresh attacks and arbitrary practices against the Lebanese civilian population that have left a number of dead and have caused further serious damage to property.

Like previous attacks, this new series is in flagrant violation of the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon and constitutes a breach of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, of international law and of basic human rights.

I should be grateful if you would have this letter circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda item 40, and of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Samir MOUBARAK     

Ambassador       

Permanent Representative

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