U.N. warns Israel, Hezbollah over 1701

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Israel and Hezbollah must do more to display their willingness to comply with the terms of a 2006 cease-fire agreement, U.N. officials said.

Israel and Hezbollah fought a 34-day campaign in 2006. U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which helped broker a cease-fire, calls on Israel to respect Lebanese sovereignty and demands that Hezbollah lay down its weapons.

While describing talks of war as alarmist, U.N. special envoy for Lebanon Michael Williams says frequent Israeli flights over Lebanon and allegations of spy equipment were unacceptable. Repeated rocket launches into Israel, meanwhile, also showed Hezbollah was not serious about its commitments, he said.

"The Secretary-General condemns all violation of Resolution 1701, whether in the form of rocket launches, air land or sea violations, the active maintenance of an arms depot or the use of surveillance equipment on sovereign Lebanese territory," he said.

Williams boasted of the modest success of Resolution 1701, noting border concerns were relatively minor. Nevertheless, both sides need to make concrete steps to ensure the region is secure as Lebanon moves forward with its new government.

"Lebanon, Israel and the international community must be vigilant and undertake greater efforts in the coming period to allow us to move forward," he said.