UNIFIL announces the death of another French soldier from wounds he sustained in an attack in southern Lebanon
Corporal Anicette Girardin (31 years old) – who died this Wednesday morning in a Paris hospital – was a specialist in dealing with police dogs, and was seriously injured when his explosive ordnance defusal team was attacked while it was combing a road in the town of Ghandouria, with the aim of reopening access to UNIFIL sites that had been isolated.
UNIFIL extends its sincere condolences to Corporal Gerardin’s family and friends on this unfortunate, “preventable” tragedy.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed sadness over the soldier’s death, and offered his condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, and to the government and people of France.
The Secretary-General once again called on all parties to comply with their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and the inviolability of the Organization’s property and assets at all times.
The Secretary-General again urged the parties to respect the cessation of hostilities declared on 16 April.
In a press statement, the spokesman for the Secretary-General affirmed the United Nations’ commitment to supporting diplomatic efforts to extend the cessation of hostilities and fully implementSecurity Council Resolution No. 1701.
A third peacekeeper, who was also seriously injured, was part of the group that was transferred to Paris yesterday, Tuesday, and is still undergoing medical care. The fourth soldier, who was slightly injured, left the hospital and returned to his base in the town of Deir Kifa.
UNIFIL stated that it had launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident, and also urged the Lebanese government to expedite the completion of its own investigation with the aim of identifying the perpetrators and holding them accountable for the crimes they committed against peacekeeping forces.
UNIFIL reiterated its reminder to all actors of their obligations under international law to ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and property at all times, noting that deliberate attacks against peacekeeping forces constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and Resolution No. 1701. “It may amount to war crimes.”
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