United Nations signs agreement establishing special tribunal for lebanon

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

On 6 February 2007, the United Nations signed the Agreement between the United Nations and the Lebanese Republic regarding the Establishment of a Special Tribunal for Lebanon.  The accord was earlier signed in Beirut by the Director-General of the Ministry of Justice on behalf of the Lebanese Republic.  The Secretary-General designated Nicolas Michel, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, the Legal Counsel, to sign on behalf of the United Nations.

It is up to the competent Lebanese authorities to take the steps necessary under the Lebanese Constitution for the approval and ratification of the Agreement, to allow it to enter into force.  The Tribunal could then be made operational with the full support of the United Nations.

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For information media • not an official record