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Lebanon conflict oil 'contained' Lebanon conflict oil 'contained'
(about 5 hours later)
The huge oil spill created during last year's conflict in southern Lebanon has largely been contained, says a UN Environment Programme (Unep) report.The huge oil spill created during last year's conflict in southern Lebanon has largely been contained, says a UN Environment Programme (Unep) report.
The team found no evidence that weapons using depleted uranium were used, as a number of reports have suggested. The team found no evidence that weapons using depleted uranium were deployed, as a number of reports had suggested.
But it says other significant threats to health and the environment remain, including pollution of water supplies and unexploded ordnance.But it says other significant threats to health and the environment remain, including pollution of water supplies and unexploded ordnance.
The conflict between Israel and Lebanon ran for three weeks in July and August.The conflict between Israel and Lebanon ran for three weeks in July and August.
The marine environment appears to have largely escaped serious long-term damage Achim Steiner Lebanese authorities raised the issue of oil damage to its coastline shortly after Israel forces bombed the Jiyyeh oil-fired power station, releasing about 15,000 tonnes of oil and creating a slick which eventually stretched for 120km (75 miles) along the shore. The marine environment appears to have largely escaped serious long-term damage Achim Steiner Lebanese authorities raised the issue of oil damage to its coastline shortly after Israel's forces bombed the Jiyyeh oil-fired power station, releasing about 15,000 tonnes of oil and creating a slick which eventually stretched for 120km (75 miles) along the shore.
An international task force was assembled to contain the spill, and Unep concludes it has largely been successful.An international task force was assembled to contain the spill, and Unep concludes it has largely been successful.
"The marine environment appears to have largely escaped serious long-term damage linked with the oil spill," said Unep executive director Achim Steiner."The marine environment appears to have largely escaped serious long-term damage linked with the oil spill," said Unep executive director Achim Steiner.
"I can only praise the international emergency response effort for moving as quickly as the difficult circumstances permitted at the time.""I can only praise the international emergency response effort for moving as quickly as the difficult circumstances permitted at the time."
Toxic legacyToxic legacy
However, the report indicates that the conflict has left other significant environment problems, some of which pose a threat to human health and welfare.However, the report indicates that the conflict has left other significant environment problems, some of which pose a threat to human health and welfare.
A number of bombed sites, including Jiyyeh, are contaminated with toxic substances which may compromise water supplies.A number of bombed sites, including Jiyyeh, are contaminated with toxic substances which may compromise water supplies.
The Jiyyeh bombing released cancer-causing chemicalsAround Jiyyeh, inspectors found a high level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), compounds present in oil which are known to cause cancers and other medical conditions.The Jiyyeh bombing released cancer-causing chemicalsAround Jiyyeh, inspectors found a high level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), compounds present in oil which are known to cause cancers and other medical conditions.
The agency recommends the local population be given long-term health monitoring to detect any problems.The agency recommends the local population be given long-term health monitoring to detect any problems.
The team also says it found unexploded cluster bombs "throughout its survey" of southern Lebanon. It believes there may be a million bomblets across the region.The team also says it found unexploded cluster bombs "throughout its survey" of southern Lebanon. It believes there may be a million bomblets across the region.
Farmers are naturally fearful of entering areas where bomblets may be concealed, and Unep found that some are burning bushes and thickets in the hope of inducing any hidden ordnance to explode.Farmers are naturally fearful of entering areas where bomblets may be concealed, and Unep found that some are burning bushes and thickets in the hope of inducing any hidden ordnance to explode.
However, contrary to a number of reports, Unep found no evidence that munitions containing uranium or other radioactive substances were used in the conflict, though it did confirm use of white phosporous by Israeli forces.However, contrary to a number of reports, Unep found no evidence that munitions containing uranium or other radioactive substances were used in the conflict, though it did confirm use of white phosporous by Israeli forces.
Phosphorus weapons cause chemical burns, but human rights groups believe they should be treated as chemical weapons. The Geneva Conventions ban their use against civilian populations, but Israel maintains the weapons were used only to mark targets.Phosphorus weapons cause chemical burns, but human rights groups believe they should be treated as chemical weapons. The Geneva Conventions ban their use against civilian populations, but Israel maintains the weapons were used only to mark targets.