Beirut: Defense Minister, Major General Michel Mnassah, condemned the attack on a French UNIFIL contingent patrol in the area of Ghandouriyeh in south Lebanon, which resulted in one martyr and several wounded. In an issued statement this afternoon, Mnassah stressed that "UNIFIL has been providing support and assistance for 48 years to maintain security and stability in southern Lebanon, and any attack against it is unacceptable and condemned."

According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Mnassah warned that the current situation requires the highest levels of awareness, national responsibility, and vigilance. He noted that such incidents could lead to escalating the situation and giving Israel pretexts to justify its failure to adhere to the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Mnassah contacted French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin and French Ambassador to Lebanon Herv© Magro, offering condolences for the fallen soldier, wishing a speedy recovery for the wounded, and praising UNIFIL's efforts and the French contingent's role.

The Minister reaffirmed the deeply-rooted Lebanese-French friendship, saying such incidents would only serve to further strengthen and solidify it.