Mideast situation/Lebanon – Letter from Lebanon

Letter dated 10 April 2001 from the Permanent Representative of Lebanon

to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

On instructions from my Government and further to my previous letters on the same subject, I have the honour to convey to you hereunder a list of the violations and infringements that were committed by Israel against Lebanon in the period from 19 March to 8 April 2001. Lebanon regards these incidents as an extension of Israel’s aggression against its people and territory.

19 March 2001

At 1325 hours hostile aircraft overflew the Bayt al-Din area at low altitudes and were engaged by anti-aircraft units of the Lebanese Army. They withdrew at 1340 hours.

20 March 2001

At 0100 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the zone of the Tibnin detachment at moderate altitudes.

At 1030 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the Nabatiyah area at moderate altitudes and overflew the zone of the Jba` detachment at low altitudes.

27 March 2001

At 1130 hours and again at 1200 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the zone of the Jba` detachment at low altitudes.

At 1200 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the zones of the Qulaylah and Tibnin detachments at moderate altitudes.

30 March 2001

Between 1345 and 1400 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the Tyre area at very high altitudes, breaking the sound barrier.

31 March 2001

At intervals between 0855 and 1000 hours Israeli forces at the Mazra`at Fashkul and Ramta hill outposts in the occupied Shab`a farmlands directed a number of bursts of medium-machine-gun fire towards the outskirts of Majidiyah in the liberated areas and at areas around the outposts themselves.

1 April 2001

At 0105 hours and between 0615 and 0645 hours Israeli forces strafed the area around their outpost at Ramta hill in the occupied Shab`a farmlands with medium-machine-gun fire.

Between 1510 and 1615 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft flew over the occupied Shab`a farmlands.

Between 2000 and 2100 hours two Israeli helicopters flew over the occupied Shab`a farmlands.

2 April 2001

Between 1030 and 1400 hours Israeli enemy forces were engaged in blasting rocks and in earthmoving work in an area to the south-west of their Ramta hill outpost in the occupied Shab`a farmlands. Two Israeli helicopters also flew over the farmlands before leaving in the direction of the occupied territories.

Between 1845 and 1900 hours Israeli enemy forces at the Mazra`at Fashkul outpost in the occupied Shab`a farmlands directed a number of bursts of medium-machine-gun fire at surrounding areas. Between 1850 and 2005 hours two Israeli enemy helicopters flew over the farmlands.

Between 2155 and 2205 hours an Israeli enemy forces patrol fired several bursts of light and medium automatic-weapons fire at both sides of the road leading from the Radar outpost to Birkat al-Sawwanah in the occupied Shab`a farmlands.

3 April 2001

Between 1015 and 1020 hours Israeli enemy forces at the Summaqah hill outpost in the occupied Shab`a farmlands directed a number of bursts of medium-weapons fire at surrounding areas.

Between 1025 and 1040 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the Shab`a farmlands at very high altitudes.

Between 1550 and 1700 hours three Israeli helicopters flew over the Shab`a farmlands.

Between 1655 and 1730 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the Naqurah area at very high altitudes.

4 April 2001

Between 1530 and 1700 hours Israeli warplanes overflew the South and Mount Lebanon at very high altitudes.

Between 1935 and 2010 hours two Israeli helicopters flew over the occupied Shab`a farmlands before leaving in the direction of the occupied Palestinian territories.

5 April 2001

Between 0550 and 0605 hours Israeli forces at the Ramta hill outpost in the occupied Shab`a farmlands directed a number of bursts of medium-machine-gun fire at surrounding areas.

Between 1100 and 1900 hours an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft flew over the occupied Shab`a farmlands.

7 April 2001

Between 1200 and 1900 hours an Israeli Poclain excavator was engaged in fortification work in the area around the outpost at Ruwaysat al-Alam in the occupied Shab`a farmlands. The situation was kept under observation.

8 April 2001

Between 1230 and 1645 hours an Israeli Poclain-type bulldozer was engaged in earthmoving and fortification work and a metal fence was erected around the outpost at Ruwaysat al-Alam in the occupied Shab`a farmlands.

Between 1700 and 1730 hours Israeli forces at the Fashkul outpost in the occupied Shab`a farmlands directed a number of bursts of medium-machine-gun fire at surrounding areas.

Like the previous Israeli violations of which it represents a continuation, this latest series is in flagrant violation of Security Council resolution 425 (1978) and of Lebanon’s sovereignty and poses a threat to stability in the region.

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) Sélim Tadmoury

Ambassador

Permanent Representative