The U.N. peacekeeping force in south Lebanon on Tuesday dismissed Israeli press reports that it had been covering up incidents involving Hizbullah. "The allegations made in the daily (Haaretz) that UNIFIL was 'intentionally concealing information', 'presenting half truths', 'misleading the (U.N.) Security Council', or 'whitewashing' information about Hizbullah activities, are without any basis," said the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
The Tel Aviv-based Haaretz daily, quoting senior Israeli officials, said on Monday that UNIFIL was concealing information of incidents in a bid to avoid a confrontation with Hizbullah.
UNIFIL insisted in a statement that "in the event of any incident ... UNIFIL follows standard procedures that includes immediate action necessary to address the situation on the group." "UNIFIL also immediately informs the Security Council about all developments on the ground," it said.
© 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
