Russia condemns deadly attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned on Wednesday attacks on peacekeepers in Lebanon, which left three dead and five injured.

Zakharova said at a media briefing in Moscow that the attack is another episode in a series of purposeful assaults on the peacekeeping mission.

"As you know, the UN Security Council adopted a press statement on April 1 condemning these bloody incidents. As a permanent member, we fully supported it," she said.

Zakharova reiterated Russia's support for the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the need to respect the inviolability and security of the peacekeeping contingent and its facilities.

She encouraged the UN secretariat to investigate the circumstances of the attack and "to duly inform the international community, primarily the troop-contributing countries" of the results.

"The Russian delegation made active efforts to secure the adoption of this UN Security Council press statement. We proceeded from the importance of sending a signal in defense and support of the Blue Helmets, who have literally come under fire amid Israel's military operation in southern Lebanon," she said.

Zakharova then highlighted a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization warning about the "destructive" consequences of the conflict in the Middle East. While supporting its conclusions, she criticized the UN agency for not mentioning the source of the conflict -- the US-Israeli attack against Iran.

The Foreign Ministry said separately that the Israeli military carried out a large-scale series of attacks across Lebanon, including in Beirut, which left many dead and injured.

It said Russians were not affected but urged those in Lebanon to leave as soon as possible, and advised others to refrain from traveling to Lebanon.