The Secretary-General strongly condemns today¦s attempted assassination of May Chidiac, a prominent and respected Lebanese journalist. He expresses his deeply felt sympathies to Ms. Chidiac and her family and wishes her a speedy recovery.

The Secretary-General believes that the international community should not tolerate such terrorist attacks. Such callous acts now form a pattern of onslaught not only against Lebanese citizens but also against the principles of a democratic, open society, which, most importantly, includes the freedom of the press.

The Secretary-General calls on the Lebanese Government to bring to justice the perpetrators and instigators of today¦s and other attacks and to ensure an end to impunity. He calls on all parties in Lebanon to preserve national unity during these critical days.