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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
December 9, 1998

The Monitoring Group met on December 8-9, 1998, at the UNIFILHeadquarters compound in Naqura, Lebanon, to consider one Israeli complaint of violation of the April 26, 1996 Understanding.

The Monitoring Group reviewed the Israeli complaint concerning the firing on December 4, 1998, of four mortar rounds by a Lebanese armed group from the area of Asawana. In the context, the members of the

Monitoring Group agreed that the present circumstances, highest priority should be given to continuing and strengthening the constructive steps already taken to ensure that military operations are undertaken in a way that avoids putting populated areas at risk. The Monitoring Group also acknowledged that positive steps have helped lead to a situation in which incidents that could impact civilians and their property have been minimized in spite of ongoing military activity in recent days.

The Monitoring Group expressed its great appreciation to UNIFIL for providing facilities and support for the meeting.

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