BEIRUT, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Stefano Del Col, the United Nations Interim Forces (UNIFIL) head of mission and force commander, confirmed Tuesday the existence of a second tunnel running along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel, according to a statement issued by the agency.
"Yesterday, a UNIFIL technical team verified the existence of a second tunnel north of the previous one in the same general area. UNIFIL is continuing to follow up on this issue in close coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces," Del Col was quoted as saying in the statement.
The UNIFIL had confirmed the existence of the first tunnel after a visit by its technical experts last week to a location near Metulla.
Del Col said in the statement that he has met Tuesday with President Michel Aoun and House Speaker Nabih Berri and informed them about the latest developments.
Meanwhile, President Aoun said Tuesday during his meeting with Del Col at Baabda Palace that Lebanon will respond to Israeli's allegations about the presence of tunnels dug by Hezbollah into northern Israel after the investigations into the claims are complete.
"Lebanon is awaiting the results of the investigations handled by Lebanese and international commands to build its decision," he was quoted as saying by the National News Agency.
The president said that Lebanon is keen on avoiding any practices that would lead to tension on the borders.
Israel announced last Tuesday that the Israeli military had detected tunnels crossing from Lebanon into northern Israel and the country has started an operation to destroy them.
