US wants roads to Beirut airport open, UN peacekeepers protected: State Department

The United States does not want United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon to be put in danger in any way, including being attacked by Israel, the State Department said on Monday, adding that the mission plays an important role in establishing security in the country.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller also said the U.S. assesses that Israel's ground operations in Lebanon so far continue to be limited as Israeli forces looked poised to expand ground raids into south Lebanon on the first anniversary of the Gaza war.

He added that Washington has made clear to Israel that it wants to see roads to Beirut's airport continue to be operated.

"We don't want to see UNIFIL forces put in danger in any way. UNIFIL forces play an important role in establishing security in Lebanon," Miller told reporters on Monday.

Reuters