France's ambassador to Lebanon said Wednesday that Israeli warplanes' flights over south Lebanon violated UN Resolution 425, under which Israel in May ended its 22-year occupation of south Lebanon.
"I believe (the flights are) a violation of Resolution 425 of the Security Council," Ambassador Philippe Lecourtier told reporters after an introductory meeting with Lebanon's new foreign minister, Mahmoud Hammoud.
Israeli warplanes flew over south Lebanon for the second straight day Wednesday and broke the sound barrier over the eastern Beqaa Valley, controlled by Syria.
Israeli MK pilotless reconnaissance planes also patrolled at low altitude over the southern Lebanese towns of Marjayoun and Hasbaya.
Israel almost completely ended air patrols over south Lebanon after its May withdrawal from south Lebanon but has resumed them in recent weeks following the militant Shiite movement Hizbollah’s snatching of three Israeli soldiers on border patrol.
Beirut filed a complaint Tuesday to the United Nations after Israeli planes broke the sound barrier near Beirut and flew over the southern port city of Tyre -- BEIRUT (AFP)
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