July 23, 2010 - Naharnet - Top U.N. Official: Tribunal Findings Will Cause Turmoil in Lebanon

A top U.N. official has said Lebanon will be hit by turmoil when Special Tribunal for Lebanon Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare issues his findings next fall.
Lebanon will be hit by a "moment of unrest and turmoil," the high-ranking official in New York told An Nahar daily in remarks published Friday.
In reference to Hizbullah, he said a certain party in Lebanon whose members could be tried has sent a message that "it has the means to make a counter-reaction" against U.N. peacekeepers in the south.

The official also warned that the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon will not accept to be "paralyzed and humiliated" urging the Lebanese government to deploy an additional 5,000 troops in the south.

During his meeting with several journalists, the diplomat said the last skirmishes between southerners and peacekeepers were "organized" by a side that "used women and children" to pelt the international troops with rocks.

Turning to Israel, the U.N. official said the Jewish state should withdraw from the Lebanese part of the border village of Ghajar and end its violations of Lebanese airspace.