By NNN-KUNA,
Beirut : Spanish Ambassador to Lebanon Miguel Benzo has announced his government’s approval to provide USD 1 million to support the process of clearing southern Lebanon of cluster bombs.
During his visit to the Coordinating Bureau for Defusing Cluster Bombs and Mines wednesday, Benzo said that the financing would be allocated to endorse two teams — one Lebanese and one foreign — in order to work at the Spanish military unit in the south.
He stated that his government was providing USD 3 million on yearly bases to Lebanon, pointing out that after the Israeli war in July of 2006, Spain decided to give special attention to the issue of cluster bombs.
Benzo underlined the Dublin Conference to ban cluster bombs, highlighting the active role of the Spanish government and its commitment to banning the use of these bombs.
He pointed out that more than 100 nations had banned the use of these bombs and that many of these countries are still affected by its consequences.
He added that although the US and Israel did not participate in this conference, international pressure was still noteworthy for such a ban.
Regarding the incident which affected the Spanish unit operating in the framework of the UNIFIL forces, killing five Spanish soldiers last year, Benzo said that it was for the Lebanese authorities and army to follow up investigations.
Five Spanish soldiers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were killed when a roadside bomb exploded near their machinery in southern Lebanon on June 24, last year.