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

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
May 13, 1999

On Behalf of the Chairman of the
Lebanon-Israel Monitoring Group

The Monitoring Group met on May 11-12, 1999, at the UNIFIL Headquarters compound in Naqura, Lebanon to consider five complaints of violation of the April 26, 1996 Understanding, three filed by Lebanon and two filed by Israel.

With respect to the Lebanese complaint concerning Aarab-Silim, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on May 6, 1999, two 100mm tank rounds fired by Israel or those cooperating with it damaged a house in the village. After considering the views of the parties concerning the nature of the incident, and in keeping with its past decisions, the Monitoring Group confirmed that targeting civilian property constitutes a violation of the Understanding.

With regard to the Lebanese complaint concerning al-Qulaylah, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on May 6, 1999, an Israeli airstrike hit a Lebanese armed group firing site in the area, resulting in damage to ten houses in the village, in unintentional violation of the Understanding.

With regard to the two Israeli complaints concerning Shelomi and Bezet, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on May 6, 1999, during the course of a large-scale military attack against Israeli military positions on the border, two 122 mm artillery rounds fired by a Lebanese armed group impacted in an open area inside Israel. The Monitoring Group also acknowledged that later the same day, several other 122mm artillery rounds impacted in the village of Shelomi and near the village of Bezet, injuring one civilian and damaging one car. The Monitoring Group concluded that both incidents were unintentional violations of the Understanding.

With regard to the Lebanese complaint concerning Baraachit, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on May 11, 1999, following an attack initiated by a Lebanese armed group against a military target, one 120mm round fired by Israel and those cooperating with it impacted in the village, damaging four houses in violation of the Understanding.

The Monitoring Group called on Israel and Lebanon to ensure that firing operations are conducted within the provisions of the Understanding. The Monitoring

Group also welcomed both parties' reaffirmation of their commitment to the Protocol of July 12, 1996, in which the parties undertake to create a stable and tranquil environment for meetings of the Monitoring Group. In this regard, the Monitoring Group called on all sides to redouble their efforts to create an environment that will promote the effective functioning of the Monitoring Group.

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

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