Lahoud deplores Israeli provocations in South Lebanon

Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud held Israel responsible for Monday's incident inside southern Lebanese lands in which an Israeli military bulldozer was destroyed.

The President said during a meeting with his Minister of Public Works and Transport, Najib Miqati, that Israel is to blame for the consequences because of its daily provocations on the southern borders through air and land incursions. The Lebanese President pointed out that Israel has persisted with its provocations despite repeated calls by the UN Chief Representative in south Lebanon, Stefan De Mistura, to desist from violations, the latest of which was a statement he issued Monday.

President Lahoud added the investigation conducted by the international peace-keeping forces in the south showed that an Israeli military bulldozer was inside the Lebanese lands in a clear violation of the "blue line." He pointed out that Israel had already killed two Lebanese civilians for suspecion they were near the "blue line."