Beirut  - The Lebanese daily al-Akhbar, which is close to Hezbollah, launched Thursday a vehement attack on U. N. peacekeepers patrolling south Lebanon, accusing them of spying for Israel.

Under the headline "UNIFIL: A list of violations in favour of Israel," al-Akhbar editor Ibrahim al-Amin levelled several allegations at UNIFIL commander, General Claudio Graziano.

Graziano was being "cordial" to Israel, seeking to "protect" flights by Israeli warplanes in Lebanese airspace and making sure that no gunmen or weapons operated in the demilitarized zone south of the Litani River in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

UNIFIL patrols were tailing "any civilian Lebanese car that is not familiar in southern villages and towns," al-Amin added.

He said "informers are recruited by the international force" in some villages of the southern sector and "some of them have testified to what they have done and to having received money in return for their services."

Al-Amin reiterated a claim that Graziano had issued instructions to his troops to "rescue" any Israeli pilot whose plane was downed by Hezbollah in UNIFIL's area of operations.

UNIFIL on Wednesday officially denied the charge and said its troops would "arrest" any foreign soldier in its area of operations in line with resolution 1701. (dpa)