United Nations, Aug 27 (AFP) The United Nations called Monday for "maximum restraint" by all parties after a reported drone attack in a Hezbollah stronghold in south Beirut that was blamed on Israel.

Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the UN was unable to confirm the reports about Sunday's incident, the latest in a series of attacks reported in the region in recent days.

"The United Nations calls on the parties to exercise maximum restraint both in action and rhetoric," he said. "It is imperative for all to avoid an escalation and abide by relevant Security Council resolutions."

He said the UN had "taken note" of statements by Lebanese President Michel Aoun, who denounced the reported drone attack as a "declaration of war."

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also received a letter from the Lebanese government on the same subject, Dujarric said.

Before dawn Sunday, a reconnaissance drone crashed in a Hezbollah bastion south of Beirut and a second exploded in the air, the Lebanese army said.

Hezbollah and the army pointed the finger at Israel, which has not commented. (AFP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)