SECRETARY-GENERAL SHOCKED BY IRAN PRESIDENT’S REMARKS ATTACKING ISRAEL

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

The Secretary-General was shocked and dismayed at the remarks attacking Israel attributed to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on 3 June, in which he says repeatedly that the world could witness the “destruction of the Zionist regime” soon.

The Secretary-General points out that the State of Israel is a full and long-standing Member of the United Nations with the same rights and obligations as every other Member.  He reminds that, under the United Nations Charter, all Members have undertaken to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.

The Secretary-General has repeatedly made his views clear on this issue.

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For information media • not an official record