SECRETARY-GENERAL ‘DEEPLY DISTURBED’ BY NEW BOMB ATTACK IN LEBANON

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General was deeply disturbed to learn of yet another bombing in Lebanon, this time near the port of Jounieh, which killed three people and injured eight others in the early morning hours of 23 March.  He sends his condolences to the families of the dead and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

The Secretary-General calls on the Government of Lebanon to bring to justice those responsible for such murderous attacks, and to prevent the situation from deteriorating.  He urges all concerned parties to do their utmost to safeguard Lebanon’s stability and national unity.

The Secretary-General believes strongly that the Lebanese people should be allowed to decide the future of their country peacefully and democratically.

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