The Government condemns the attack on the Spanish contingent in Lebanon and calls for the prosecution of those responsible

Eduardo González The Spanish government has condemned the mortar attack carried out this Thursday against the ‘Miguel de Cervantes’ base, the headquarters of the Spanish contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), near Marjayoun, in the south of the country, in which a Serbian peacekeeper was killed and two Spanish soldiers sustained minor injuries. “Last night, the conflict in Lebanon resulted in four mortar attacks on the Spanish base Miguel de Cervantes, the death of one Serbian peacekeeper, and injuries to two Spaniards,” the Prime Minister posted on social media. “We absolutely condemn the violence and offer our full support to those who risk their lives to defend peace under the United Nations flag,” he continued. “We hope that all parties will fully comply with the ceasefire announced yesterday and that hostilities will end. Peace is the only future,” he concluded. “I strongly condemn the attack on the Spanish base Miguel de Cervantes of the United Nations Force in Lebanon,” declared Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares in a video statement released by the Ministry. “In this attack, we regret to say that a Serbian soldier was killed, and I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the people and government of Serbia. There are also several wounded, including some Spaniards,” he continued. “I want to extend my best wishes for their speedy recovery, as well as to their families and friends, and convey the full recognition, support, and solidarity of the Spanish Government and the Spanish people to our soldiers, who, under the United Nations flag, are carrying out an indispensable task for maintaining peace, guaranteeing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, and the stability of the entire Middle East,” he continued. “These events must be investigated, pursued to the fullest extent, and those responsible must face international justice,” he concluded. For its part, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement in which it “strongly condemns the recent attacks against the UNIFIL contingent at the Spanish base of Miguel de Cervantes, which resulted in the death of a Serbian peacekeeper and injuries to several soldiers, including a Spanish soldier,” and warned that “the attack must be investigated and those responsible held accountable.” “The Government extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, as well as to the Government and people of Serbia,” the statement continued. “Spain reiterates its recognition of the committed and selfless work of the UNIFIL soldiers, carried out under conditions of extreme violence,” it added. “The Government of Spain urges compliance with Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreed between Lebanon and Israel, as well as respect for international law and international humanitarian law, and the protection of the safety of peacekeeping forces,” the Ministry declared. “Spain urges full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, as an indispensable condition for peace and security in the region, and reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting the courageous measures taken by the Government of Lebanon to restore the monopoly on the use of force,” it concluded. “All our support to our military personnel deployed in the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon, following last night’s attack, and all our encouragement and solidarity to the Serbian contingent,” the Ministry of Defense posted on social media. UNIFIL statement In a statement, UNIFIL reported the death of a Serbian peacekeeper “due to critical injuries sustained when mortar shells struck his position near Marjayoun, in southeastern Lebanon.” “Two other peacekeepers, who were also injured, are receiving medical treatment at a UNIFIL base medical facility,” the statement said. The mission, it continued, “has launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to this tragic incident” and reiterates its “call on all actors to comply with their obligations under international law and ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times, including by refraining from actions that could endanger peacekeepers.” “We also call on the relevant national authorities to investigate the incident, bring those responsible to justice, and ensure criminal accountability,” UNIFIL added, recalling that “deliberate attacks against peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and Security Council Resolution 1701, and may constitute war crimes.” So far, neither Israel nor the Lebanese Shiite movement has commented on this incident, which occurred hours before the two sides agreed in Washington, mediated by the United States, to a ceasefire contingent upon a complete cessation of Hezbollah attacks and the evacuation of all its members from the area south of the Litani River. The Spanish Armed Forces have been deployed in Lebanon since September 2006 to ensure compliance with UN Resolution 1701 and prevent situations that could lead to an escalation of tensions between the parties. The bulk of the contingent in Operation Libre Hidalgo is based at the 'Miguel de Cervantes' base, near the town of Marjayoun, where the headquarters for the Eastern Sector, led by Spain, is located. Spanish troops are also stationed at the mission's headquarters in Naqoura. The Spanish contingent, which at its peak numbered 1,100 troops, has remained between 600 and 700 since 2012. Currently, there are approximately 650 troops deployed. Since the mission began, fifteen Spanish soldiers have died in Lebanon.

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