United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has commended the courage of peacekeepers serving in southern Lebanon, including members of the Ghanaian contingent, following recent attacks that left several soldiers injured.
Speaking to the media during the second day of his visit to Lebanon, Mr Guterres paid tribute to troops serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), who continue to maintain their positions despite rising tensions and ongoing exchanges of fire in the area.
“UNIFIL peacekeepers – under the command of General Abagnara – remain in position. They are maintaining an impartial international peacekeeping presence along the Blue Line and throughout the Area of Operations, to fulfil the mandate entrusted to them by the Security Council, and to support the local populations. I want to pay tribute to their courage,” he said.
The UN chief also highlighted the risks faced by peacekeepers on the ground, recalling that three Blue Helmets from the Ghanaian contingent were injured during intense fighting earlier this month.
One of them, Lance Corporal Albert Abrefa Busia of the Ghana Armed Forces, sustained serious injuries during a missile attack on a UN peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon.
Mr Guterres visited the injured soldier in the hospital during his trip and expressed concern about the dangers faced by UN personnel deployed in conflict zones.
“Attacks against peacekeepers and positions are completely unacceptable, and they must stop. They are in breach of international law and may constitute war crimes. Moreover, civilians must be respected and protected at all times – and civilian infrastructure must be spared,” he said.
According to the Ghana Armed Forces, three peacekeepers suffered minor injuries in the attack, while Lance Corporal Busia sustained critical injuries. Military authorities said he has since undergone successful surgery and is responding well to treatment.
The United Nations also confirmed that the soldier’s condition was improving, sharing an image of Mr Guterres speaking with him at his hospital bedside.
“Great to learn that Lance Corporal Albert Abrefa Busia of Ghana, one of the peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon who was recently injured during a missile attack, is recovering,” the organisation said in a statement.
The UN reiterated that peacekeepers must not be targeted during conflicts, repeating its global campaign message, #NotATarget.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that the government has formally petitioned the UN Secretary-General to launch an investigation into the attack and impose sanctions on those responsible.
Mr Guterres also used the occasion to highlight a humanitarian appeal launched to mobilise resources for the Lebanese government to support populations affected by the continuing violence.
He stressed that people across the region deserved to live without fear and to rebuild their lives away from the sound of sirens and strikes.
Ghana remains one of the leading contributors to UN peacekeeping missions worldwide, with its troops currently serving in several operations, including the mission in lebanon .
Source: www.kumasimail.com
