Mideast situation – Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon – SecGen letter to SecCo President

Letter dated 17 April 2000 from the Secretary-General

to the President of the Security Council

Further to my letter of 6 April 2000 (S/2000/294), I have the honour to inform you that the Permanent Representative of Israel, Ambassador Yehuda Lancry, conveyed to me today the attached formal notification by Foreign Minister Levy of his Government’s decision to withdraw its forces present in Lebanon by July 2000. Mr. Levy stated that the withdrawal is to be carried out in full accordance with Security Council resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) and that Israel intends to cooperate fully with the United Nations.

I have initiated preparations to enable the United Nations to carry out its responsibilities under resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978). I intend to consult with the parties and interested Member States, including those contributing troops to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). To this end, I have requested my Special Envoy, Mr. Terje Roed-Larsen, to go to the region as soon as practical.

I shall keep the Council informed of relevant developments, including the outcome of these consultations and my own conclusions regarding the plans and requirements for the implementation of resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978).

(Signed) Kofi A. Annan

Annex

Letter dated 17 April 2000 from the Permanent Representative of Israel

to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

I have the honour to include herewith a letter addressed to Your Excellency by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, H.E. Mr. David Levy.

(Signed) Yehuda Lancry

Ambassador

Permanent Representative

Enclosure

Letter dated 17 April 2000 from the Minister for Foreign Affairs

of Israel addressed to the Secretary-General

I am writing to notify you, in pursuance of recent contacts, of the decision of the Government of Israel to withdraw its forces present in Lebanon, to be completed by July 2000. We intend to carry out the above in full accordance with Security Council resolutions 425 and 426 (1978).

The Government of Israel intends to cooperate fully with the United Nations in the implementation of its decision.

The Government of Israel will do its utmost to assist the United Nations and cooperate in performing its other tasks as encompassed in the above-mentioned resolutions, including the restoration of international peace and security.

(Signed) David Levy

Minister for Foreign Affairs

The State of Israel