Military

7 May 2004 – The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon is investigating the latest exchange of fire today between Hezbollah and Israeli Defence Forces in the Shabaa Farms area, while Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged both parties to exercise restraint.

This early morning's exchange comes less than 24 hours after heavy Israeli air incursions into Lebanon, Hezbollah anti-aircraft fire across the so-called Blue Line, which marks the border between Israel and Lebanon after the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and an Israeli air strike on Hezbollah positions.

According to the Israeli army, one Israeli soldier was killed and five others wounded, while there are conflicting claims by both sides as to how the incident started, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said.

A spokesman for the Secretary-General said Mr. Annan "is greatly concerned about this new escalation along the Blue Line and strongly urges both parties to exercise restraint."