SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS TERRORIST ATTACK IN LEBANON, CALLS ON POLITICAL LEADERS

TO EXERT EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES

 

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

The Secretary-General was outraged by yet another terrorist attack in Lebanon that killed General François el-Hajj of the Lebanese Armed Forces and at least one of his bodyguards.  The Secretary-General extends his sincere condolences to the families of those killed, the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Government of Lebanon.

The Secretary-General strongly condemns this act of violence and terror on the Lebanese Armed Forces, a symbol of Lebanon’s sovereignty.  He reiterates his position that this and previous attacks aimed at undermining Lebanon’s sovereignty are unacceptable.   It is imperative that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice.

The Secretary-General calls on the Lebanese for calm and restraint at this critical juncture in their history.  Their political leaders must exert every possible effort to resolve differences and arrive at a solution for an immediate presidential election, without conditionality, in accordance with constitutional rules.

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For information media • not an official record