NO GREATER HOMAGE PAID TO MEMORY OF RAFIQ HARIRI THAN REDOUBLED EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE

LEBANON’S NATIONAL RECONCILIATION, STABILITY, PROSPERITY, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

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

On the third anniversary of the terrorist attack that took the lives of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others, the Secretary-General stands in solidarity with the families of the victims and with the people and Government of Lebanon.  He reaffirms the commitment of the United Nations to assist Lebanon in establishing the truth and in bringing to justice those who instigated, planned and executed this and other callous political assassinations and terrorist attacks in the country.  He continues with determination to prepare for the establishment of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, convinced that impunity must not prevail and that the tribunal process cannot be reversed.

This solemn anniversary comes at a perilous moment for Lebanon.  The Secretary-General believes there could be no greater homage paid to the memory of Rafiq Hariri than for the parties in Lebanon to redouble their efforts to achieve national reconciliation and to ensure the stability, security and prosperity for which Rafiq Hariri worked so hard during his lifetime.

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For information media • not an official record