MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Annan in 'deliberate bombing' storm

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is at the centre of a diplomatic storm after accusing Israel of deliberately bombing a UN observer post in southern Lebanon.

It is believed four peacekeepers were killed at their base in the town of Khiyam, near the eastern sector of the border.

On hearing the news, Mr Annan rushed out of a Rome hotel where he had been dining with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Lebanon's prime minister on the eve of international talks on the Lebanon crisis. He said the Israeli hit on the observer post was "apparently deliberate" and demanded an investigation.

"I am shocked and deeply distressed by the apparently deliberate targeting by Israeli defence forces of a UN observer post in southern Lebanon," Mr Annan said in a statement.

He said the base had been there for a long time, was marked clearly, and was hit despite assurances from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that UN positions would not be attacked.

"I call on the government of Israel to conduct a full investigation into this very disturbing incident and demand that any further attack on UN positions and personnel must stop," he added.

But Dan Gillerman, Israel's UN ambassador, reacted furiously, describing Mr Annan's comments as "premature and erroneous".

"First of all let me express Israel's deep regret for the tragic incident," he said, adding Israel was investigating. He then 'parroted' Mr Annan, saying he too was "shocked and deeply distressed" by the "hasty statement".

"He went far too far for the seasoned and experienced diplomat that he is. I think that his statement was irresponsible, unfortunate and deplorable," Mr Gillerman said.

Observers from Canada, China, Austria and Finland were among the dead at the UN post, UN and Lebanese officials said.