SECURITY COUNCIL, IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, CONDEMNS GEMAYEL ASSASSINATION

21 November 2006
Security Council
SC/8873

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York
Security Council
5569th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL, IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, CONDEMNS ASSASSINATION
OF LEBANON'S INDUSTRY MINISTER

The Security Council condemned "unequivocally" this afternoon the
assassination in Beirut today of
Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel, describing him as "a patriot who was a
symbol of freedom and of political
independence of Lebanon".
In a statement read out by Jorge Voto-Bernales ( Peru), its President for
November, the Council also
condemned any attempt to destabilize Lebanon through political assassination
or other terrorist acts, and
expressed grave concern at the assassination and its possible impact on
efforts to solidify democracy, extend
Government authority throughout its territory and complete the
reconstruction process.
The Council called upon all parties in Lebanon and the region to show
restraint and a "sense of
responsibility", and urged all States to cooperate fully in the fight
against terrorism. It welcomed the
Government's determination to bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers
and sponsors of today's and other
assassinations.
Requesting the Secretary-General to continue reporting regularly on the
situation in Lebanon, the
Council underlined its readiness to continue its support of the legitimate
and democratically elected
Government of Lebanon.
The meeting started at 4:16 p.m. and adjourned at 4:21 p.m.
Presidential Statement
The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2006/46 reads as follows:
"The Security Council unequivocally condemns the assassination in Beirut on
21 November 2006 of
Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel, a patriot who was a symbol of freedom and
of the political independence of
Lebanon. The Security Council expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences
to the family of the victim
and to the people and Government of Lebanon.
"The Security Council condemns any attempt to destabilise Lebanon through
political assassination or
other terrorist acts. The Security Council is gravely concerned by this
assassination and its possible impact
on ongoing efforts by the Government and people of Lebanon to solidify
democracy, extend the authority of
the Lebanese Government throughout its territory and complete the
reconstruction process.
"The Security Council calls upon all parties in Lebanon and the region to
show restraint and a sense of
responsibility with a view to preventing any further deterioration of the
situation in Lebanon. The Security
Council urges all States, in accordance with its resolutions 1373 (2001),
1566 (2004) and 1624 (2005), to
cooperate fully in the fight against terrorism.
"The Security Council welcomes the determination and commitment of the
Government of Lebanon to
bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of this and other
assassinations, and underlines its
determination to support the Government of Lebanon in its efforts to this
end.
"The Security Council reaffirms its previous calls upon all parties
concerned to cooperate fully and
urgently with the Security Council for the full implementation of all
relevant resolutions concerning the restoration
of the territorial integrity, full sovereignty and political independence of
Lebanon, in particular resolutions 1559
(2004), 1595 (2005), 1664 (2006), 1680 (2006) and 1701 (2006).
"The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to continue to follow
closely and report regularly
to the Council on the situation in Lebanon. The Security Council underlines
its readiness to continue to act in
support of the legitimate and democratically elected Government of Lebanon.