Security Council Press Statement on Lebanon Terrorist Attack

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Gérard Araud ( France):

The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the terrorist attack on 27 December 2013 in the city centre of Beirut, which killed former Lebanese Minister M. Mohammed Chatah along with at least four other people, and caused numerous injuries, including among civilians.

The members of the Security Council extended their condolences to the families of the victims and expressed their sympathy to all those injured in this heinous act, and to the people and Government of Lebanon.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of any attempt to destabilize Lebanon through political assassinations, and demanded an immediate end to the use of intimidation and violence against political figures.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and all obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Recalling the presidential statement of 10 July 2013, the members of the Security Council appealed to all Lebanese people to preserve national unity in the face of attempts to undermine the country’s stability, and stressed the importance for all Lebanese parties to respect Lebanon’s policy of disassociation, and to refrain from any involvement in the Syrian crisis, consistent with their commitment in the Baabda Declaration.

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For information media • not an official record