A UNIFIL-led tripartite meeting with LAF and IDF representatives concluded
with both countries expressing a desire to avoid any escalation

Elana Kieffer IDF 02 September 2010 , 18:50
http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/10/09/0202.htm

On Thursday (Sep. 2), the commander of the United Nations Interim Force in
Lebanon (UNIFIL), Maj. Gen, Alberto Asarta Cuevas, hosted another tripartite
meeting with representatives from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the
IDF at a UN position in Ras Al Naqoura.

The meeting was held to discuss the UNIFIL investigation into the shooting
incident which occurred on August 3 when LAF forces opened fire on IDF
soldiers who were within Israeli territory. As a result of the attack, Capt.
Ezra Lakia (30) sustained severe injuries and Lt. Col. Dov Harari (45) was
killed.

In an official statement, UNIFIL reported that it is reviewing the comments
and information shared by both parties at this most recent meeting. As a
reminder, on August 4, one day following the shooting incident, UNIFIL
representatives verified previously made statements by IDF representatives
that Israel had coordinated their work near the border previous to the
incident, and that indeed the IDF forces had been operating within Israeli
territory when they were attacked.

On August 25, UNIFIL announced that it had completed its investigation into
the incident and confirmed its previously stated position that the IDF
forces had been operating within Israeli territory when they were attacked
by LAF soldiers.

Thursday's tripartite meeting addressed other subjects as well, including
marking the Blue Line, which had been discussed at the August 18th
tripartite meeting.

Following Thursday's meeting, Maj. Gen. Asarta said, "The discussions today
reconfirmed that no party would like to see any escalation. They stress
their continued commitment to maintain the cessation of hostilities and
ensure that the exchange of fire that happened on August third remains an
isolated incident."