Lebanon says 25 arrested after attack on UN peacekeepers

BEIRUT — Lebanese authorities said Saturday that more than 25 people have been arrested following an attack on a United Nations convoy that wounded two peacekeepers, including the force's outgoing deputy commander.

UN and Lebanese officials have condemned Friday's attack, which came as Hizbollah   supporters blocked the road to the country's only international airport for a second night over a decision to bar two Iranian flights from landing.

On Saturday, an AFP correspondent said tear gas was fired to disperse a crowd that again blocked the road to the airport after the Iran-backed group called for a sit-in.

Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar told reporters that "more than 25 people have been arrested by Lebanese army intelligence", with another person detained by the security services.

"This does not mean these detainees carried out the attack... but the investigations will show who is responsible," he said, adding that violations would be treated "with all seriousness".

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon has demanded a "full and immediate investigation" after one of its vehicles was set on fire in the attack, which wounded outgoing deputy force commander Chok Bahadur Dhakal, who was heading home to Nepal after completing his mission.

UNIFIL deputy spokesperson Kandice Ardiel told AFP a second Nepalese peacekeeper was also wounded.

UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned the attack.

"Such attacks are absolutely unacceptable... The safety and security of UN personnel and property must be respected at all times," his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said.

"Attacks against peacekeepers are in breach of international law... and may constitute war crimes," he added.