U.N. reviewing Lebanese border issue

BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 24 (UPI) -- The United Nations is studying letters sent by officials in Beirut regarding alleged Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty, officials say.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh briefed President Michel Suleiman on the letter, with the president saying Israel must meet its obligations under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and withdraw from Shebaa Farms and other parts of southern Lebanon.

Resolution 1701 brought an end to a monthlong conflict in 2006 between Hezbollah and Israel. It calls on Hezbollah to lay down its weapons, while obligating Israel to respect Lebanese sovereignty.

U.N. officials Thursday held private talks on security complaints regarding skirmishes along the Lebanese border with Israel.

Tensions in the border region escalated when 14 U.N. peacekeepers were injured during protests stemming from an explosion of an arms depot linked to Hezbollah.

Beirut issued a request to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calling for a delay in his investigation while Lebanese forces look into the matter with members of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon, the Lebanese Daily Star reports.

Michael Williams, the U.N. special representative for Lebanon, said the border tensions with Israel were relaxing following discussions with Lebanese officials, however.

"We see the situation as calming down," he said.