SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON LEBANON

 

The following Security Council press statement on Lebanon was delivered today by Council President Bernard Kouchner, Foreign Minister of France:

Members of the Security Council recalled their attachment to the implementation of all Security Council resolutions on Lebanon, in particular resolutions 1559 (2004), 1680 (2006) and 1701 (2006).

Members of the Security Council reaffirmed their support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders.

Members of the Security Council called for the holding of a free and fair presidential election in conformity with the Lebanese constitutional norms and schedules, and without any foreign interference, in full respect of the sovereignty of Lebanon, on the basis of national unity and in an atmosphere free of violence, fear and intimidation, in particular against the representatives of the Lebanese people and institutions.

In this regard, members of the Security Council took note of the decision to convene the next session of the Lebanese Parliament on 23 October and looked forward for the Parliament to proceed, as appropriate, to the election of the President.

They reiterated the statement of the President of the Security Council of 20 September 2007, in the aftermath of the assassination of the Member of the Lebanese Parliament Antoine Ghanem, as well as the Security Council’s press statement of 19 September 2007 (Press Release SC/9119), concerning the creation of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

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For information media • not an official record