Lebanon blasts UNSCR 1701 report

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Opposition leaders in Beirut blasted a recent U.N. report for excluding measures to end Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a report on the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which helped broker a cease-fire to a 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

Resolution 1701 calls on Hezbollah to lay down its weapons while reminding Israel of its obligation to respect Lebanese sovereignty.

Ban in his report reminded Lebanese militias of their responsibility to comply with the measure and disarm.

"This should take place through a Lebanese-led process that will bring the full restoration of the authority of the government of Lebanon over all its territory," he said.

Opposition lawmaker Yassin Jaber said he was "shocked" the United Nations had no solution to the threat Israel poses to Lebanon, Lebanon's Daily Star newspaper reports.

"The resistance (Hezbollah) is a response to Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory, especially when the Israeli state insists on threatening new military action against Lebanon," he said.

Israel and Lebanon lodged a series of complaints during the summer. Lebanon accuses Israel of spying, while Israel points to Hezbollah aggression along the border.

Michael Williams, the U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon, meanwhile, said there was no evidence to suggest Hezbollah was involved in recent rocket attacks on Israel.