Security Council Press Statement on Lebanon

19 October 2012

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Gert Rosenthal ( Guatemala):

The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the terrorist attack on 19 October 2012 in Beirut, which killed Brigadier General Wissam al-Hassan, Interior Security Forces Information Branch Chief, and caused numerous deaths and injuries, including among civilians.  The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims of this heinous act and to the people and Government of Lebanon.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.  The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this crime to justice, expressed their determination to support the efforts and the commitment of the Government of Lebanon to this end and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Lebanese authorities in this regard.  They also recalled the need to put an end to impunity in Lebanon.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of any attempt to destabilize Lebanon through political assassinations and demanded an immediate end to the use of intimidation and violence against political figures.  They appealed to all Lebanese people to preserve national unity in the face of such attempts to undermine the country's stability and called upon all Lebanese parties to continue engaging in the National Dialogue reconvened under the authority of President Sleiman to this effect.

The members of the Security Council underlined the importance of full respect for Lebanon's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and the authority of the Lebanese State, in accordance with Security Council resolutions

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Security Council Press Statement on Lebanon

 19 October 2012

Security Council SC/10799

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

         

         The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Gert Rosenthal ( Guatemala):

The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the terrorist attack on 19 October 2012 in Beirut, which killed Brigadier General Wissam al-Hassan, Interior Security Forces Information Branch Chief, and caused numerous deaths and injuries, including among civilians. The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims of this heinous act and to the people and Government of Lebanon.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this crime to justice, expressed their determination to support the efforts and the commitment of the Government of Lebanon to this end and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Lebanese authorities in this regard. They also recalled the need to put an end to impunity in Lebanon.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of any attempt to destabilize Lebanon through political assassinations and demanded an immediate end to the use of intimidation and violence against political figures. They appealed to all Lebanese people to preserve national unity in the face of such attempts to undermine the country's stability and called upon all Lebanese parties to continue engaging in the National Dialogue reconvened under the authority of President Sleiman to this effect.

The members of the Security Council underlined the importance of full respect for Lebanon's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and the authority of the Lebanese State, in accordance with Security Council resolutions

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For information media • not an official record

Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Deadly Beirut Bomb Blast, Calls on Lebanese Parties Not to Be Provoked by ‘Heinous Terrorist Act’

19 October 2012

Secretary-General SG/SM/14597

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Deadly Beirut Bomb Blast, Calls on Lebanese Parties Not to Be Provoked by 'Heinous Terrorist Act'

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the bomb explosion today in the heart of Beirut which killed several people, including General Wissam al-Hassan, a senior commander in the Lebanese Internal Security Forces, and caused dozens of injuries. He conveys his condolences to the families of the victims, and to the Government and people of Lebanon. He calls for this incident to be thoroughly investigated and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

The Secretary-General calls on all Lebanese parties not to be provoked by this heinous terrorist act and to maintain their commitment to national unity. At a time of regional turbulence, it is of the utmost importance that all parties ensure calm and restraint in order to preserve peace and stability in Lebanon.

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For information media • not an official record

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly Statement following Meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati

UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES
Office of the Special Coordinator for Lebanon
(Delivered in Arabic)
Beirut, Lebanon
Monday, 08 October 2012
I just had a good meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati. We exchanged views on the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.
We discussed two areas in particular where the United Nations and the government of Lebanon are close partners. The first is security. The Prime Minister updated me on the government's latest plans for support for the army, which we welcome. I informed the Prime Minister that the Secretary General's next report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 will issue at the end of the month. We both welcomed the calm which has held along the Blue Line, and which must continue.
The other area of cooperation which we discussed was that of support for the Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The coordination between the government, the United Nations and non-governmental organisations in addressing the needs of the refugees is close. But the numbers continue to grow and winter is approaching. Against that background the government has been reviewing its arrangements and plans, which again we warmly welcome. For its part United Nations recently launched an updated financial appeal to address the growing needs of the refugees and host communities in Lebanon.
We are of course deeply concerned at the extent of the current violence in Syria. Lebanon is honouring its humanitarian obligations and winning great credit thereby. The United Nations has been clear in its condemnation of the recurrent violations of the country's borders. We have been equally clear in our support for the efforts of the President, the Prime Minister and the country's leaders collectively to distance Lebanon from the worst effects of the crisis. Against the backdrop of recent events I would like to take this opportunity to underline again the need for all concerned to commit to this and to give absolute priority to keeping Lebanon safe.
QUESTION: Mr. Plumbly, are you confident the Lebanese Government will be able to hold elections in the coming period in light of what is happening in the region?
Special Coordinator Derek Plumbly: We are following closely the discussions in Parliament. In my view, it is very important that the elections take place on time. Lebanon is a country with a long democratic history and the present period is one of spread of democracy across the Arab world. I am confident elections here will take place on time.