Israel Matzav

UNIFIL assisting Lebanese government investigation into alleged 'spying' by Israel

And you thought that UNIFIL's function was to keep the peace.

UNFIL has turned over to the Lebanes government a long-time employee who is accused of 'spying' for Israel, and has said that it will assist the Hezbullah-dominated Lebanese government's 'investigation.'

The Lebanese man who had worked in the UNIFIL administration for over 20 years is among three people accused by authorities of spying for Israel.

On Sunday, Lebanese authorities said they had arrested the three suspects, a Syrian man and his Lebanese wife and a Lebanese man.

But the Lebanese man "was in the UNIFIL compound when authorities requested him," UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti told AFP.

"We asked U.N. headquarters in New York to determine whether immunity would be applied in his case, and the U.N. determined that since the allegations were not related to his official functions, immunity from legal proceedings would not apply," he added.

The man was taken into custody on Wednesday.

In an official statement, UNIFIL said Wednesday that it “will continue to provide the assistance required to facilitate the Government's investigations into the allegations.”

“UNIFIL considers it of the utmost importance that the investigative and judicial process is conducted in accordance with the international standards of justice, fairness and due process of law and fully supports the Lebanese authorities in the effort,” it said.

“To this end, UNIFIL will continue to act in full transparency, in coordination with the Lebanese authorities, and in accordance with the long-established procedures and agreements,” it added.

On Sunday, Lebanon's General Security service announced it had arrested a "spy network."

It accused the three suspects of gathering information on individuals and security and military targets.

It said the three also allegedly filmed "sensitive" roads and other areas in south Lebanon "and sent the footage to their employers to be used in later attacks."

Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, Hezbullah, Lebanon, spying, UNIFIL, United Nations budget

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:16 PM