SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY CONDEMNS MURDER OF GEORGE HAWI IN LEBANON

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

The Secretary-General was appalled to learn of yet another assassination in Lebanon.  He strongly condemns the murder, in a bomb blast in Beirut, of Mr. George Hawi, a long-time leader of the Communist Party.  His sympathies and condolences are with the family of the victim and, indeed, all of the people of Lebanon.  The Secretary-General stands with the Lebanese today in their determination to shape a peaceful, independent and sovereign future.

The Secretary-General urges the Lebanese authorities to bring promptly to justice the perpetrators and the instigators of today’s callous crime and to put an end to impunity and acts of intimidation.  He calls on all concerned parties to contribute to the unity and stability in Lebanon.

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