A spokesperson for Kofi Annan told The Jerusalem Post by phone on Thursday night that contrary to an earlier report, there was no decision to fire on Israeli planes whatsoever.
"The French units of UNIFIL have deployed with anti-aircraft batteries. The rules of engagement allow these weapons to be used only in self-defence in case a position is under imminent attack by air, no matter who attacks," the spokesperson clarified in an official statement.
"French peacekeeping forces have routinely deployed with such weapons since their peacekeepers were attacked by helicopters in Cote d'Ivoire in November 2004," the statement said.
The spokesperson also told the Post that
"any change of the rules of the engagement to allow for a more liberal use of these weapons would need to be based on a political decision by the UN secretariat and the countries contributing troops to the peacekeeping force," and added that "such a decision is not on the horizon."
Just to be honest, and all.
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