BEIRUT, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Commander Major Gen. Claudio Graziano reassured that there will be no war between Israel and Hezbollah but warned that terrorist activities are threatening stability in south Lebanon, the local newspaper al-Safir reported on Saturday.
"I confirm that there is definitely no war in south Lebanon," Graziano told al-Safir published on Saturday, adding "I guarantee that peace is in safe hands unless there is a dramatic (regional) change."
Graziano said that the latest rockets firing to Israel have caused some problems. But that is why there are 13,000 international soldiers on the ground in the south who work with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Lebanese Shiite armed group Hezbollah waged a 34-day war with Israel in the summer of 2006, which was ended by Resolution 1701. UNIFIL is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire.
At least two rockets launched from southern Lebanon hit northern Israel on Sept. 11, and the Jewish state responded with 14 artillery shells. The UNIFIL and LAF are still investigating the incident.
Graziano expressed fears that the rocket firing would lead to arise in violent operations, adding that the militants that fired the rockets are terrorist groups linked to some Palestinian camps in Lebanon.
However, turning to the issue of extremist networks uncovered, Graziano said that in that region, all of the responsibilities fall on the LAF, and that's why UNIFIL won't seek a confrontation with Palestinian camps.
Five members of Fatah al-Islam who were tasked with monitoring UNIFIL for potential terrorist attacks were arrested in Borj al-Shamali refugee camp in South Lebanon city of Tyre, about 20 km north of Naqoura, where the UNIFIL's headquarter is based.
Graziano said the international peacekeepers were taking precautions against extremist threats and were cooperating with LAF to ward off any attack.
Special Report: Palestine-Israel Conflicts
