UN on assassination of MP Antoine Ghanem and on Presidential Elections in Lebanon
20 September 2007 
Security Council SC/9125
Department of Public Information News and Media Division New York
Security Council
5747th Meeting (PM)
SECURITY COUNCIL, IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, CONDEMNS YESTERDAY'S TERRORIST ATTACK IN BEIRUT, DEMANDS IMMEDIATE END TO VIOLENCE AGAINST LEBANESE REPRESENTATIVES
Demanding an immediate end to intimidation and violence against the representatives of the Lebanese people, the Security Council this afternoon strongly condemned yesterday's terrorist attack in Beirut, which killed Member of Parliament Antoine Ghanem and at least six other persons.
According to a statement read out by this month's Council President, Jean-Maurice Ripert of France, the Council also reiterated its call for a free and fair presidential election to be held according to the timetable and norms of the Lebanese Constitution without any foreign interference.
The meeting began at 2:10 p.m. and ended at 2:14 p.m.
The full text of S/PRST/2007/34 reads as follows:
"The Security Council strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Beirut on 19 September 2007 which killed at least seven persons, including Member of Parliament Antoine Ghanem. The Security Council expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Lebanon.
"The Security Council commends 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 reiterates its condemnation of all targeted assassinations of Lebanese leaders, including since November 2004, and demands an immediate end of the use of intimidation and violence against the representatives of the Lebanese people and institutions. On the eve of the crucial period of the presidential election, it stresses that any attempt to destabilize Lebanon, including through political assassination or other terrorist acts, should not impede or subvert the constitutional process in Lebanon.
"The Security Council reiterates, in this context, its call for the holding of a free and fair presidential election in conformity with Lebanese constitutional norms and schedules and without any foreign interference, fully respecting the sovereignty of Lebanon.
"The Security Council emphasizes the importance of the unity of all the Lebanese people. It also reiterates its full support to all ongoing efforts in Lebanon to combat terrorism, solidify democratic institutions through national dialogue, and continue to extend the authority of the Lebanese Government throughout its territory."
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For information media not an official record
20 September 2007 The Security Council today strongly condemned yesterday's terrorist attack in the Lebanese capital Beirut that killed at least seven people, including the parliamentarian Antoine Ghanem. In a presidential statement read out by Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert of France, which holds the rotating presidency this month, the Council expressed its deepest sympathies to the victims' families, as well as to the people and Government of Lebanon.
The 15-member body reiterated its condemnation of all targeted assassinations of the country's leaders that have taken place, including those since October 2004, and appealed for an end to the use of intimidation and violence against representatives of the Lebanese people and institutions.
Any attempt to destabilize the country, such as through these targeted attacks, must not be allowed to impede or subvert Lebanon's constitutional process, Mr. Ripert said.
He said Council members called for the holding of free and fair presidential elections "in conformity with Lebanese constitutional norms and schedules and without any foreign interference."
The statement also commended "the determination and the commitment of the Government of Lebanon to bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of this and other assassinations."
Yesterday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement that he was "shocked by the brutal assassination" of Mr. Ghanem.
"Such acts of terrorism aim at undermining Lebanon's stability and are unacceptable," his statement said. "Lebanon has suffered far too many such attempts."
Mr. Ban urged all Lebanese to show "calm and restraint at this very critical time and to allow judicial procedures to take their course" and stressed the need for continued dialogue within the country.
19 September 2007 Secretary-General SG/SM/11167
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| Department of Public Information News and Media Division New York |
Security Council
5747th Meeting (PM)
SECURITY COUNCIL, IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, CONDEMNS YESTERDAY'S TERRORIST ATTACK IN BEIRUT, DEMANDS IMMEDIATE END TO VIOLENCE AGAINST LEBANESE REPRESENTATIVES
Demanding an immediate end to intimidation and violence against the representatives of the Lebanese people, the Security Council this afternoon strongly condemned yesterday's terrorist attack in Beirut, which killed Member of Parliament Antoine Ghanem and at least six other persons.
According to a statement read out by this month's Council President, Jean-Maurice Ripert of France, the Council also reiterated its call for a free and fair presidential election to be held according to the timetable and norms of the Lebanese Constitution without any foreign interference.
The meeting began at 2:10 p.m. and ended at 2:14 p.m.
The full text of S/PRST/2007/34 reads as follows:
"The Security Council strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Beirut on 19 September 2007 which killed at least seven persons, including Member of Parliament Antoine Ghanem. The Security Council expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Lebanon.
"The Security Council commends 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 reiterates its condemnation of all targeted assassinations of Lebanese leaders, including since November 2004, and demands an immediate end of the use of intimidation and violence against the representatives of the Lebanese people and institutions. On the eve of the crucial period of the presidential election, it stresses that any attempt to destabilize Lebanon, including through political assassination or other terrorist acts, should not impede or subvert the constitutional process in Lebanon.
"The Security Council reiterates, in this context, its call for the holding of a free and fair presidential election in conformity with Lebanese constitutional norms and schedules and without any foreign interference, fully respecting the sovereignty of Lebanon.
"The Security Council emphasizes the importance of the unity of all the Lebanese people. It also reiterates its full support to all ongoing efforts in Lebanon to combat terrorism, solidify democratic institutions through national dialogue, and continue to extend the authority of the Lebanese Government throughout its territory."
* *** *
For information media not an official record
| | |
In a presidential statement read out by Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert of France, which holds the rotating presidency this month, the Council expressed its deepest sympathies to the victims' families, as well as to the people and Government of Lebanon.
The 15-member body reiterated its condemnation of all targeted assassinations of the country's leaders that have taken place, including those since October 2004, and appealed for an end to the use of intimidation and violence against representatives of the Lebanese people and institutions.
Any attempt to destabilize the country, such as through these targeted attacks, must not be allowed to impede or subvert Lebanon's constitutional process, Mr. Ripert said.
He said Council members called for the holding of free and fair presidential elections "in conformity with Lebanese constitutional norms and schedules and without any foreign interference."
The statement also commended "the determination and the commitment of the Government of Lebanon to bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of this and other assassinations."
Yesterday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement that he was "shocked by the brutal assassination" of Mr. Ghanem.
"Such acts of terrorism aim at undermining Lebanon's stability and are unacceptable," his statement said. "Lebanon has suffered far too many such attempts."
Mr. Ban urged all Lebanese to show "calm and restraint at this very critical time and to allow judicial procedures to take their course" and stressed the need for continued dialogue within the country.
| Secretary-General SG/SM/11167 |
| |
SECRETARY-GENERAL SHOCKED BY BRUTAL ASSASSINATION IN BEIRUT, CONDEMNS TERRORIST ATTACK IN STRONGEST TERMS
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
The Secretary-General is shocked by the brutal assassination of Member of Parliament Antoine Ghanem and at least eight other civilians in Beirut today. He condemns in the strongest terms this terrorist attack and expresses his sincere condolences to the bereaved families of those killed.
Such acts of terrorism aim at undermining Lebanon's stability and are unacceptable. Lebanon has suffered far too many such attempts. The Secretary-General urges all Lebanese to exercise utmost calm and restraint at this very critical time and to allow judicial procedures to take their course.
The Secretary-General calls, now more than ever, for continued dialogue among all Lebanese. He reaffirms the United Nations unswerving commitment to Lebanon's stability, sovereignty and political independence.
posted by DELTA BLOG at 11:19 AM
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