Violations across the Blue Line – Letter from Lebanon

Letter dated 23 November 2004 from the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

  On instructions from my Government, I have the honour to transmit herewith a summary of Israeli violations and acts of aggression against Lebanon from 5 to 20 November 2004, inclusive.

  These grave violations are part of a series of persistent and provocative Israeli violations of Lebanese territory, including air, sea and land, and intervene against the principles of international law, the resolutions of international legitimacy, and the repeated calls of the United Nations for their cessation.

  In view of these violations and the stepping-up of Israeli threats against Lebanon and the safety of its territory and its citizens, Lebanon relies upon the United Nations to deter and prevent Israel from indulging in such dangerous acts, which constitute a threat to international security and peace. Lebanon holds Israel fully responsible for any consequences to which those acts may lead.

  In drawing your attention to the grave consequences of such acts, I request to have this letter of complaint and its annex circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda item 36, and of the Security Council.

(Signed ) Sami Kronfol

Ambassador

Permanent Representative

Annex to the letter dated 23 November 2004 from the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

    Israeli violations

   5 November 2004 

  Between 0200 and 0600 hours, an Israeli gunboat in Lebanese territorial waters off Ras-Naqoura fired several flare shells and bursts of medium machine-gun fire on the open sea, and at 0830 hours fired several bursts of medium machine-gun fire.

  At 1320 hours, Israeli occupation forces, positioned in the El-Radar position inside Chebaa farms, raked the surroundings of this position by medium machine-gun fire.

    7 November 2004

  At 1110 hours, an Israeli gunboat in Lebanese territorial waters off Ras-Naqoura fired several bursts of medium machine-gun fire on the open sea.

    8 November 2004

  Between 0810 and 1000 hours, an Israeli gunboat in Lebanese territorial waters off Ras-Naqoura fired several bursts of medium machine-gun fire on the open sea.

  Between 1915 and 1945 hours, Israeli forces fired several flare rounds above the sea off Ras-Naqoura and above the borders facing El-Bustan village.

    9 November 2004

  At 0330 hours, an Israeli gunboat in Lebanese territorial waters off Ras-Naqoura fired several bursts of medium machine-gun fire on the open sea, and, between 1825 and 2300 hours, fired several flare shells and bursts of medium machine-gun fire.

    10 November 2004

  At 0710 hours, an Israeli gunboat in Lebanese territorial waters off Ras-Naqoura fired several bursts of medium machine-gun fire on the open sea.

    14 November 2004

  Between 1445 and 1835 hours, an Israeli drone aircraft violated Lebanese airspace at a medium altitude, entered from above the sea off Tyre, headed east, and circled over Sarafand, Tyre, Nabatieh and Saida.

  Between 1550 and 1835 hours, an Israeli drone aircraft violated Lebanese airspace at a medium altitude, entered from above the sea off Saida, headed east, and circled over Saida.

    15 November 2004

  Between 0815 and 0855 hours, an Israeli drone aircraft violated Lebanese airspace at a medium altitude, entered from above the sea off Tyre, and circled over Marake and Jouwaya.

    20 November 2004

  Between 1740 and 1930 hours, an Israeli drone aircraft violated Lebanese airspace at a medium altitude, entered from above the sea off Jbeil, headed to the Bekaa, circled over Rayak and Baalbeck, headed to Jbeil, and then flew south.

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