Islamabad condemns attack on UN peacekeepers in Beirut, calls it violation of international law

Lebanese army soldiers protect a convoy of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), as Hezbollah supporters try to block the road that links to Beirut's international airport during a protest against Lebanon's decision to revoke permission for an Iranian carrier after Israel accused Iran of smuggling cash to Hezbollah, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Feb. 15, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 17 February 2025
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Islamabad condemns attack on UN peacekeepers in Beirut, calls it violation of international law

  • Lebanon has faced unrest this week after a government decision to block Iranian flights from landing in Beirut
  • The UN convoy was attacked during protests by supporters of Hezbollah, which urged government to reverse move

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday condemned an attack on a United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy in Beirut, calling it a “flagrant” violation of international law.
Lebanon has faced unrest this week after a government decision to block Iranian flights from landing in Beirut, with the UN peacekeeper convoy attacked during protests by supporters of Hezbollah, which on Sunday urged the government to reverse the move.
Pakistan has been one of the main troops and police contributors to the UN peace operations since 1960, with more than 200,000 Pakistani men and women sent to 46 UN missions. As of 2024, the South Asian country was contributing over 4,000 troops to various international operations carried out by the UN and has lost 172 soldiers in total to UN peace missions.
“Pakistan strongly condemns the attack on a UNIFIL convoy in Beirut that injured several peacekeepers. Such attacks on blue helmets are flagrant violations of international law for which there must be accountability,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.
“Pakistan stands in solidarity with UNIFIL and affirms its unwavering support for UN peacekeeping operations.”
The development came amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah group, which has been in effect since Nov. 27 after more than a year of hostilities including two months of all-out war.
Under the ceasefire deal, Lebanon’s military was to deploy in the south alongside United Nations peacekeepers as the Israeli army withdrew over a 60-day period.
Hezbollah was also to pull back north of the Litani River — about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border — and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south. The withdrawal period was extended to February 18.
On Sunday, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) said Israeli forces opened fire toward the southern border town of Hula “after residents entered,” killing a woman. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the incident.
 


Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz among nominees for ICC’s Player of the Month award

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Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz among nominees for ICC’s Player of the Month award

  • Nawaz scored 104 runs in ODIs and took four wickets and made 52 runs in T20Is and took 11 wickets
  • South Africa’s Simon Harmer and Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam are other two nominees for the award

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz is among three of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) nominees for the Player of the Month for November award for his impressive white-ball performances last month, the global cricket body announced on Friday. 

Nawaz has been in sublime form for Pakistan, instrumental in the Green Shirts’ tri-series win over Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe at home last month. 

He amassed 104 ODI runs at an average of 52 with a strike rate of 114.28, while also taking four wickets. In T20Is, the left-arm spinner added 52 runs and claimed an impressive 11 wickets at just 12.72 last month. 

“His match-winning 3-17 in the final against Sri Lanka capped a standout campaign and secured his Player of the Series honor,” the ICC said. 

South Africa’s Simon Harmer and Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam were the other nominees for the award. Harmer claimed a staggering 17 wickets at an average of 8.94 across the two tests against India in Kolkata and Guwahati.

Meanwhile, Islam picked up 13 wickets at 26.30 in the 2-0 series win over Ireland last month, finishing as the leading wicket-taker of the series.