Mideast situation/Lebanon – Letter from Lebanon

Letter dated 2 August 1993 from the Permanent Representative

of Lebanon to the United Nations addressed to the

Secretary-General

It is regrettable that the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, in his letter (A/48/287-S/26201) dated 30 July 1993, saw fit once more to interfere in the internal affairs of Lebanon by reiterating his demand that the Security Council consider immediately the situation resulting from the Israeli aggression against Lebanon.

The Palestinian civilians, who live in the refugee camps and were subjected along with Lebanese civilians to Israel's savage and brutal attack, reside on Lebanese national soil.  Their presence in Lebanon and the regulation of their livelihood, including their safety and protection fall strictly within the jurisdiction of Lebanese law.

It is an accepted maxim of international law that every sovereign nation has the power, as is inherent in sovereignty and essential to self-preservation, to protect and safeguard the well-being of its citizens and all others who live on its territory.

Consequently, we reiterate the position of the Government of Lebanon that the matter of the Israeli aggression against Lebanon, and the convening of the Security Council to deal with it, remains the exclusive right of Lebanon because it falls totally within its jurisdiction and sovereignty.

I should be grateful if you would have the text of the present letter circulated as a document of the forty-seventh session of the General Assembly, under agenda item 35, and of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Dr. Khalil MAKKAWI

Ambassador       

Permanent Representative