Israeli drones buzz over south Lebanon

Two Israeli reconnaissance aircraft have penetrated Lebanese airspace and have flown over parts of the country in flagrant violation of a UN Security Council resolution.

The Lebanese military issued a statement through the National News Agency, saying an Israeli reconnaissance drone crossed into Lebanese airspace on Friday at 11 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) and hovered over Tyre, located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Beirut. The aircraft left nearly two hours later, after it had conducted several unwarranted flights.

Another Israeli spy aircraft was observed patrolling the skies above the town of Alma al-Shaab in south Lebanon at 1:35 p.m. local time (1035 GMT). The aircraft left Lebanese airspace at 3:25 p.m. local time (1225 GMT) after flying over the village of al-Naqoura.

In 2009, Beirut complained to the United Nations about Israeli aircraft violating the airspace over the south of the country.

UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched against Lebanon in 2006, calls on Israel to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.