ACCRA, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The Ghanaian government has lodged a formal protest with the United Nations, urging an immediate and impartial probe into the circumstances leading to a missile strike that hit the Ghanaian battalion serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), a statement disclosed on Saturday.
In the statement, the government described the attack as a grave violation of international law that could amount to a war crime, which "affronts the protection afforded to the United Nations peacekeeping personnel."
"Ghana strongly condemned this attack and further demanded the identification and accountability of those responsible," the release revealed.
"Ghana further urged the United Nations to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of members of the Ghanaian contingent serving under UNIFIL as well as all personnel under the mission, who at great personal risk make daily sacrifices in the service of humanity," it added.
The release assured members of the Ghanaian contingent that the government would spare no effort in pursuing justice on their behalf and ensure that their security is improved.
Two Ghanaian soldiers serving with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon were critically injured on Friday after missiles struck their base amid ongoing hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. ■