BEIRUT, Lebanon, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- U.N. Special Envoy Terje Road-Larsen warned Thursday that the situation in the Middle East is difficult and called on Lebanon and Israel to be cautious and exercise maximum restraint.
"The situation in the region is difficult. It's necessary for all parties concerned and related to issues in south Lebanon to show utmost precaution and restraint," said Road-Larsen.
His warning came after two incidents in south Lebanon and on the border with Israel.
Last Friday, a Lebanese civilian, who had been accused by Israel of collaborating with the Lebanese resistance during the occupation of south Lebanon and helping arrest a number of Israeli agents, was killed along with his nephew in an explosion in south Lebanon. The killing was blamed on Israel.
Two days later, two Israeli soldiers who patrolled along the Lebanese
border were wounded when a bomb exploded near their vehicle near a position of Lebanon's Hezbollah group. Hezbollah denied any link to the explosion.
Road-Larsen said he discussed with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and Prime Minister Rafic Hariri the situation in the Middle East, developments in the occupied Palestinian territories as well as efforts to re-launch the peace process and resolve the Iraqi problem.
He briefed the Lebanese officials about two meetings of the Security Council on Monday and two days later of the Quartet committee in Washington that would focus on the Middle East peace process and the U.S. "Road Map" peace proposal.
