MEETING WITH LEBANON'S PRESIDENT, SECRETARY-GENERAL UNDERTAKES TO SUPPORT CEASE-FIRE, OPENING OF COASTAL HIGHWAY FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
Press Release
SG/SM/5969
MEETING WITH LEBANON'S PRESIDENT, SECRETARY-GENERAL UNDERTAKES TO SUPPORT CEASE-FIRE, OPENING OF COASTAL HIGHWAY FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
19960423 The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Boutros Boutros-Ghali:The Secretary-General today received the President of Lebanon, Elias Hraoui, accompanied by Foreign Minister Fares Bouez and Lebanon's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Samir Moubarak. They discussed the continuing hostilities in Lebanon. The President described in detail the devastation and human suffering caused by the Israeli attacks and the impact on the Lebanese economy and infrastructure. He called for the implementation of Security Council resolution 425 (1978). The Secretary-General expressed his deep sympathy at the grave humanitarian situation and promised all assistance from the United Nations. The President and the Secretary-General agreed that the first priority would be to achieve a cease-fire; to open the coastal highway from Beirut to the south in order to ensure the supply of humanitarian assistance and to allow medical evacuation. The Secretary- General undertook to exert every effort towards the achievement of these immediate goals.
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