UNITED NATIONS - The Security Council on Thursday strongly condemned Tuesday’s attack that targeted UN troops near the southern Lebanese town of Sidon and wounded two Irish blue helmets.

A statement read out by Libya’s UN envoy Giadalla Ettalhi, the council chair this month, said the 15 members "strongly condemned" the attack and reaffirmed their full support to the UN mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Two Irish military officers serving with UNIFIL were wounded in Tuesday’s roadside bombing targeting their vehicle, UN and security officials said.

The officers were hurt in the explosion which damaged their vehicle on the coastal highway near the southern Lebanese town of Sidon, UNIFIL said.

Council members also slammed the rocket attacks launched against Israel on Tuesday and looked forward to the completion of UNIFIL’s investigation.

They reiterated their firm condemnation of any breach of the cessation of hostilities and of all violations of Security Council resolution 1701 that put an end to the month-long war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah guerrillas in August 2006.

The council members urged all parties concerned to respect the Blue Line separating Lebanon from Israel in its entirety and to exercise utmost restraint.

They also reaffirmed their full support to the Lebanese Government and the Lebanese Armed Forces in their efforts to ensure security and stability throughout Lebanon. -AFP