Explosion targets French Unifil patrol in Lebanon

Soldiers from the international forces Lebanese security sources have confirmed that three French soldiers from the international forces working in South Lebanon have been wounded in an explosion that targeted an armoured convoy as

it crossed Sinieq Bridge, east of the first Saida entrance. One of the wounded soldiers is in a critical condition. Security sources have confirmed that the explosion targeted the convoy of five armoured vehicles as they travelled from Beirut to the South, at around 6 o’ clock this evening Beirut time. One of the vehicles was blown up, and the soldier who was stood on top of it with a heavy machine gun was taken to Hamoud hospital for treatment, while the other two were treated at the scene. Lebanese army units arrived at the area to set up a parameter, and started their investigations, diverting all the traffic. The head of the Lebanese Police in the region, General Monder Al-Ayoubi, along with senior French officers, and other members and Unifil commanders also arrived at the scene. This explosion is the second after a previous one targeted an Italian convoy on the 27th of May only 7 km away from today\'s incident.

An explosives expert, who has carried out tests, said that 2kg of very strong explosives which were handled remotely were used in the explosion.
The armoured vehicle that was blown up was in a convoy of five, and it was the at the back of the convoy. A Lebanese analyst described the explosion as a message to the international forces, especially to the French who have committed themselves to implementing all the UN resolutions, and specifically resolution 1701.