UN refuses to deliver Israel the original copy of the video tape

The UN on Monday refused to give Israel the original copy of the video tape which was taken on the wake of the Lebanese national resistance arresting of three Israeli soldiers in Shebaa farms in October 2000.

News reports quoted the spokesman for the UN Fred Ekhard as saying that the UN decision on this matter relates to giving an amended formula for the said video tape. He added that the UN is studying the position of the Lebanese national resistance which considers the UNIFIL troopers in Lebanon as spies if this tape will be given to Israel.

Earlier, the UN assistant secretary general said that the UN decided to avail the chance for Israel and Lebanon to see the video tape but after hiding the faces of persons who do not belong to the UN. A matter which was condemned by Lebanon, stressing that the UN might, by this way, convey to Israel sensitive information from the Lebanese territories.

However, the spokesman noted that the tape which lasts for 30 minutes does not give information on the conditions of seizing the Israeli soldiers nor information about them.