Lebanon says 25 arrested after attack on UN peacekeepers

Lebanese authorities say more than 25 people have been arrested following an attack on a United Nations convoy yesterday that wounded two peacekeepers, including the force’s outgoing deputy commander.

UN and Lebanese officials have condemned Friday’s attack, which came as Hezbollah supporters for a second night blocked the road to the country’s only international airport over a decision barring two Iranian planes from landing there.

“More than 25 people have been arrested by Lebanese army intelligence,” with another person detained by the security services, Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar tells reporters after an emergency security meeting. “This does not mean these detainees carried out the attack… but the investigations will show who is responsible.”

The army and security agencies will bolster measures to “maintain security and stability,” Hajjar adds, and violations will be treated “with all seriousness.”