The Secretary-General welcomes the important agreement reached in Doha today among Lebanon's political leaders. He hopes this agreement will be the prelude to a lasting period of national reconciliation, political stability, peace and progress for all of Lebanon's people and for the future of their country, as well as a stepping stone toward the full implementation of the provisions of the Taif Agreement and the relevant Security Council resolutions. He looks forward to the early election of the new Lebanese President and to the formation of a National Unity Government.

The Secretary-General expresses his great appreciation for the crucial efforts of the Government of Qatar and the League of Arab States in facilitating this agreement.