Daily Star - Israeli troops detain another Lebanese shepherd - January 19, 2008

By Agence France Presse (AFP)

BEIRUT: Israeli forces on Friday briefly detained a Lebanese man in the border area of Ghajar after he allegedly crossed the Blue Line separating the two countries, a UN spokeswoman and security officials told AFP. "Early afternoon, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was informed by the Israeli Army that they detained one person in the general area of Ghajar village on the Israeli side of the Blue Line," said spokeswoman Yasmina Bouziane. "According to the Israeli Army, the individual had crossed over from the Lebanese side." A Lebanese security official identified the man as shepherd Mohammad al-Mohammad. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Israeli troops handed Mohammad over to UNIFIL troops after several hours of questioning. It was the second such incident this month. Israeli troops detained another shepherd on January 7, saying he had also crossed the Blue Line, the border demarcated by the UN. He was released the following day. The Lebanese government has branded the detentions as a clear violation of Lebanese sovereignty and a provocation. Lebanese shepherds and their herds often stray across the Blue Line. - AFP