U.N. meets Lebanese and Israeli officers

RAS AL NAQOURA, Lebanon, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- The new commander of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon is talking with Lebanese and Israeli officers to avoid exchange of fire across the border.

"I consider these meetings extremely important and the right mechanism to address the concerns of the parties and to avoid misunderstandings," U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon Commander Maj. Gen. Claudio Graziano said Monday in Ras Al Naqoura, close to the U.N. Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon.

The Lebanese army Wednesday opened fire after an Israeli bulldozer entered the area between Israel's electronic border fence and the Blue Line to clear mines.

Shots were fired by both the Israeli defense forces and the Lebanese army.

At Monday's meeting, Graziano submitted a report on the incident and both parties agreed to improve their coordination with the U.N. mission to prevent violence.

The exchange of fire is in violation of a U.N. Security Council resolution adopted last summer to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's spokeswoman Michele Montas said last week.

Under the resolution, UNIFIL monitors the cease-fire after Israel's 34-day war against Hezbollah last summer. UNIFIL supports the Lebanese army in south Lebanon and helps ensure humanitarian access to civilians, as well as the safe return of displaced persons.

Monday's meeting also discussed the speed of Israel's withdrawal from northern Ghajar, the last position it still occupies in southern Lebanon.

Graziano of Italy took over command of UNIFIL at the beginning of February. The mission now has more than 12,000 troops.