UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed "deep appreciation" for India and other countries contributing troops to the peacekeeping operation in Lebanon where they face dangers from a growing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers "remain in position, and the UN flag continues to fly despite Israel's request to relocate", he said on Wednesday at an emergency meeting of the Security Council on the Middle East situation.
"I reiterate our deep appreciation to the military and civilian members of our UN peacekeeping force – UNIFIL – and to troop-contributing countries," he said.
Nearly 900 Indian troops are with UNIFIL which is deployed along the Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon.
They are caught between the Israeli military, which has moved into Lebanese territory, and Hezbollah, an Iran-affiliated militia that overran Southern Lebanon and controls vast swathes of territory from which it attacks Israel.
Guterres' Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at his daily briefing that according to UNIFIL officials on the ground, "exchanges of fire continue and shelling is even more intense".
"They are constantly adjusting their operational posture to ensure their own safety, while at the same time implementing their mandate," he said.
He said that the Israeli military had asked UNIFIL to leave several positions near the Blue Line "saying it was in the interest of the peacekeepers' safety and security". But a "decision was made, both, I would say, operationally and politically, to stay. We will continue to stay, while at the same time assessing our posture and the security of peacekeepers, I would say, on an hourly basis", he added.
UNIFIL continues to be "a force of deterrence and they also provide a critical, I would say, communications framework where – as you know our UNIFIL commander speaks both to the Lebanese Armed Forces and to the Israeli Defence Forces – obviously, they’re also reporting on what is going on", Dujarric said.
‘Pahalgam incident deeply disturbing & tragic’: Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday termed the Pahalgam terror attack as disturbing & tragic and also condoled the victims and their families.
Congress finally deletes 'Gayab' post targeting PM Modi after outrage
Under fire from the BJP over its social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress finally, on Tuesday, took down the controversial post.
Guterres calls EAM Jaishankar, Pak PM Sharif; stresses pursuing justice in Pahalgam terror attack
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of pursuing justice in the Pahalgam terrorist attack while speaking with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.
Congress organises ‘Save Constitution’ rallies across NE states
The opposition Congress has been organising ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ (Save Constitution) campaign in the northeastern states. Claiming that the Constitution is in danger under the BJP-led Central government, the opposition Congress held a massive rally in Agartala on Tuesday.
RSS chief Bhagwat meets PM Modi after security huddle: Signs of a hard-hitting response in the works
In a significant political development, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday evening.
What PM Modi's free hand to armed forces against terror means for cross-border action?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unambiguous message during a high-level security meeting - ‘India is determined to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism’ - marks more than just a strong statement of resolve.
Justice BR Gavai appointed as next Chief Justice of India
Justice Gavai was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 29, 2019. Appointed as Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003, he became a permanent Judge in November 2005.
Three more Bangladeshi nationals held in Tripura
The Tripura Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, for illegally entering India, officials said.