♦ India has called for the protection of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, who are in the midst of a heightened confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah in the fallout of the Iran war.  

♦ A joint statement by India and 29 other countries said Peacekeepers must never be the target of attacks or intimidation of any kind and urged all parties, under all circumstances, to ensure the safety and security of these personnel and their premises in accordance with international law. 

♦ The 642 Indian peacekeepers constitute the second-largest contingent in the 7,438-member UNIFIL.

♦ Created in 1978, the peacekeeping operation is charged with monitoring the cessation of hostilities there and helping the Lebanese government regain control of the southern Lebanon areas.

♦ With India’s Permanent Representative P. Harish at his side, France’s Permanent Representative Jerome Bonnafont read out the statement outside the Security Council before it met to discuss the situation in Lebanon.