Israeli army denies shooting at German vessel in Lebanon

Israel Air Force (IAF) warplanes did not fire at German navy vessel patrolling the Lebanese coast, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokeswoman told Xinhua on Wednesday.

"There was no attack on German ships," said the spokeswoman, adding that the IDF is still checking details about the incident.

The IDF made the denial in response to reports saying that two Israeli warplanes and a German navy vessel have clashed off the Lebanese coast.

Earlier on Wednesday, Germany daily Der Tagesspiegel quoted source in Germany Defense Ministry as reporting that two Israeli F- 16 fighters flew low over the German ship and fired two shots.

Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz also dismissed the reports as completely untrue, saying Israel would continue to patrol Lebanese skies in an effort to gather information and prevent terror groups from smuggling weapons from Syria into Lebanon.

Germany assumed command of a UN naval force off Lebanon 10 days ago and has sent eight ships and 1,000 service personnel to join the UN peacekeeping mission in the region.

The naval force is charged with preventing weapons smuggling and helping maintain a ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas.

The 34-day conflict between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah ended on Aug. 14 under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 which authorizes an expansion of UN peacekeeping forces to 15,000 troops to help the Lebanese government take control of the southern territories.

Source: Xinhua