UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday condemned the firing of at least two rockets from southern Lebanon into Israel, and called for "maximum restraint" from the parties concerned.

"The secretary-general condemns the firing of at least two rockets into Israel from southern Lebanon on the night of 29 November," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman.

"The secretary-general urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and reminds them of their obligation to fully adhere to (UN) Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) and respect the cessation of hostilities agreement," the statement said.

Resolution 1701, passed at the end of the conflict between Israel and Lebanon during the summer of 2006, mandates respect of the countries' shared border and progress towards a permanent ceasefire. The UNIFIL is charged with enforcing the resolution. The firing of rockets took place on Monday night, and caused damage to buildings in northern Israel, reports said. No casualties have been reported from either side following the firing of at least one rockets shortly after midnight from the general area of Rumaysh, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said earlier. The Israeli authorities indicated to UNIFIL that a number of rockets impacted in northern Israel, reports said. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) returned artillery fire directed at the location from where the rocket fire originated.

"The Israel Defense Forces returned fire with artillery rounds toward the location where the rockets were launched," the statement said. "There were no reports of casualties on either side and the situation is now calm. UNIFIL is investigating the circumstances of the incident in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces."

The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet behind closed doors here late on Tuesday to discuss the latest development on the ground.

Earlier on Tuesday, UNIFIL has called for maximum restraint by all parties after rocket firing on Monday night from southern Lebanon into Israel, UN officials said here.

"This is a serious incident in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and is clearly directed at undermining stability in the area," UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Alberto Asarta Cuevas said in a press statement.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet