Lebanon says forced Israeli patrol to retreat after border violation

BEIRUT, Lebanon

The Lebanese army said Sunday it had forced an Israeli patrol to retreat beyond the country’s border with Israel.

A military statement said an Israeli patrol violated the Blue Line at the village of Aita al-Shaab in southern Lebanon

The Blue Line is the line set by the United Nations for the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from Lebanon in 2000.

The Lebanese army said a military unit intervened and forced the Israeli patrol to retreat beyond the Blue Line.

According to the statement, a unit for UN peacekeepers UNIFIL arrived at the scene to verify the Israeli breach.

There was no comment from the Israeli army on the Lebanese statement.

Lebanon occasionally accuses the Israeli army of violating the Lebanese airspace and borders.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar