NEW YORK - The UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon has protested to Israel after it observed increased violations of Lebanese air space by Israel, which carried out raids in Syria to target what it claimed were Iranian missiles bound for Hizbullah.

Intelligence sources said Israel on Friday and Sunday attacked Iranian-supplied missiles stored near the Syrian capital of Damascus, awaiting transport to Hezbollah, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

“UNIFIL (the UN Interim Force in Lebanon) says that in the course of the past week it has observed a higher number of Israeli air violations over Lebanese air space,” UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters on Tuesday.

“The UN Interim Force has lodged firm protests with the [Israeli army] on this matter asking them to cease the over flights,” Nesirky said.

Lebanon, in a letter obtained by Reuters on Monday, also called on the UN Security Council to “compel Israel to halt its violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty by air, sea and land, and carry out all its obligations in accordance with Resolution 1701.”

UN Security Council Resolution 1701 halted Israel’s 2006 assault on Lebanon. Israel has violated Lebanon’s airspace daily since then.  

— Reuters