Source: Compiled by Moqawama.org, 3-2-2007
PARIS - "Israeli" warplanes are still flying over southern Lebanon despite appeals for them to halt the missions, the outgoing commander of a United Nations peacekeeping mission said on Friday.
"They are continuing to do (overflights) on a daily basis ... sometimes five or six a day," Major-General Alain Pellegrini told Europe 1 radio.
Asked what was the point of the flights, the departing UNIFIL chief explained that overflights violations served a dual purpose: "Such kinds of violations are obviously performed to take control of Lebanese territory, but it could also be a form of provocation."
France issued a statement in November saying its battalion of peacekeepers came close to firing on "Israeli" warplanes flying low over their headquarters in the town of Frun in South Lebanon. France also demanded that the United States put pressure on "Israel" to end the flights.
However, "Israel" has repeatedly said it will not stop the overflights until it is sure that Hizbullah was no longer rearming via neighboring Syria.
"Israel" had filed a complaint to the UNIFIL leadership earlier this week saying that Hizbullah had erected flags exactly on the borders with "Israel", adding that when these flags fluttered they crossed the Blue Line by 35 centimeters.
Hizbullah had set up its yellow flags, in addition to pictures of its war dead, and other types of banners, all through the border with "Israel"
Meanwhile "Israel" says it will not stop the overflights until it is sure that the resistance group Hizbullah was not rearming via neighbouring Syria.
Pellegrini, who is due to be replaced by an Italian general later this month, said arms might be reaching Hizbullah, but added that he had no evidence of this.
"I cannot confirm it. It is something that is possible."