Security
Mideast: Spain 'angry' at Israel's move to extend Italy's UN command
Jerusalem, 29 October (AKI) - A decision by Israel to allow Italy to maintain control over a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon has sparked a diplomatic row with Spain. Media reports said the Spanish government was 'angry' at the decision by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Italy is currently in charge of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
Netanyahu secretly asked Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi to extend for at least six months UNIFIL military commander Claudio Graziano's tour of duty rather than handing over control to Spain as previously planned, according to Israeli daily Haaretz.
Haaretz said the issue has turned "into a serious diplomatic incident" and that Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak was asked to explain Israel's actions during his visit to Madrid earlier this week.
According to Haaretz, the Israeli Defence Forces said that although there was no problem with a Spanish command of UNIFIL in principle, the current situation in Lebanon is "very sensitive at this time". The IDF said replacing Graziano could create coordination problems and "destabilise the situation."
In late August, the UN Security Council extended UNIFIL's mandate for an extra year, commending its role together with Lebanon's armed forces in restoring calm in the south of the country.
However, Italy's foreign minister Franco Frattini said that Italy has the intention of handing over the command of UNIFIL to Spain and that only the UN can ask Italy to continue in the command of the peacekeeping force.
"Nobody has made a request to us about it. The request must come from the UN, from the secretary general," said Frattini who also denied claims made by Spanish daily El Pais of a possible reduction of troops in Lebanon.
"We have just confirmed the missions, and with the same numbers (of troops). Therefore I once again deny El Pais's claims once again," said Frattini.
UNIFIL, established in 1978, is tasked with ensuring that the area between the Blue Line - demarcating the border between Israel and Lebanon - and the Litani River is clear of unauthorised weapons, personnel and equipment. UNIFIL also helps Lebanese armed forces ensure security.
According to the UN, there are 12,235 military personnel, supported by some 321 international civilian and 653 local civilian staff.
Italy is currently in charge of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
Netanyahu secretly asked Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi to extend for at least six months UNIFIL military commander Claudio Graziano's tour of duty rather than handing over control to Spain as previously planned, according to Israeli daily Haaretz.
Haaretz said the issue has turned "into a serious diplomatic incident" and that Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak was asked to explain Israel's actions during his visit to Madrid earlier this week.
According to Haaretz, the Israeli Defence Forces said that although there was no problem with a Spanish command of UNIFIL in principle, the current situation in Lebanon is "very sensitive at this time". The IDF said replacing Graziano could create coordination problems and "destabilise the situation."
In late August, the UN Security Council extended UNIFIL's mandate for an extra year, commending its role together with Lebanon's armed forces in restoring calm in the south of the country.
However, Italy's foreign minister Franco Frattini said that Italy has the intention of handing over the command of UNIFIL to Spain and that only the UN can ask Italy to continue in the command of the peacekeeping force.
"Nobody has made a request to us about it. The request must come from the UN, from the secretary general," said Frattini who also denied claims made by Spanish daily El Pais of a possible reduction of troops in Lebanon.
"We have just confirmed the missions, and with the same numbers (of troops). Therefore I once again deny El Pais's claims once again," said Frattini.
UNIFIL, established in 1978, is tasked with ensuring that the area between the Blue Line - demarcating the border between Israel and Lebanon - and the Litani River is clear of unauthorised weapons, personnel and equipment. UNIFIL also helps Lebanese armed forces ensure security.
According to the UN, there are 12,235 military personnel, supported by some 321 international civilian and 653 local civilian staff.
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