Attack on UN Soldiers
June 25, 2007
In a statement released Monday in Berlin, the EU's German presidency said that "the perpetrators of this murderous attack must be identified and brought to justice as quickly as possible."
From Brussels, EU Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Benita Ferrero-Waldner called on Lebanon's political leaders to work together to guarantee greater security in the country and bring an end to people's suffering.
Three Spanish troops and three Columbians in the Spanish army, members of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, were killed Sunday when their vehicle hit an explosive devise near the Lebanese-Israeli border.
Perpetrators unknown
The attack is the first since the ceasefire in the conflict between Lebanon and Israel last August. As yet, no one has claimed responsibility, though Spain's Defense Minister Jose Antonio Alonso has said he thinks the attack was premeditated.
The UN has said that the incident has only strengthened its resolve to continue the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon, which involves 13,000 peace-keeping troops.
UNIFIL Commander General Claudio Graziano said Monday that he and his soldiers were more determined than ever to stick to their mission of ensuring a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.