Situation in the OPT, Lebanon – Letter from Iran

 Letter dated 26 July 2006 from the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General 

  I have the honour to enclose herewith the text of a letter from Manouchehr Motaki, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, addressed to you on the ongoing aggression against Lebanese and Palestinian civilians.

  I should be grateful if you would arrange for the circulation of the present letter and its annex as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed ) M. Javad Zarif

Annex to the letter dated 26 July 2006 from the

Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran

to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

  With profound regret, the international community continues to witness the ruthless and extensive aggression of the Zionist regime against the defenceless peoples of Palestine and Lebanon and their economic and civilian infrastructures. More regrettably, neither did the United Nations Security Council, which bears primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security and suppressing acts of aggression, undertake any action with a view to stopping this full-fledged aggression, nor did it show any willingness to this end.

  The extensive and brutal attacks by the Zionist regime are not only indicative of that regime’s pre-existing plan to embark on a wide-ranging onslaught against Lebanon, but they are also demonstrating the prior confidence of military commanders and political leadership of that regime about the unqualified support of the United States Government and, consequently, the lack of any effective action on the part of the Security Council.

  Blind and indiscriminate attacks by the Zionist regime on residential areas, directly targeting innocent civilian populations and the destruction of Lebanese and Palestinian political, social and economic infrastructure amount to gross violation of the basic norms and principles of international law. These do not come as a surprise from a regime founded on occupation and with a track record of flouting numerous Security Council resolutions. However, it is astonishing that the Security Council fails to act on such a cruel onslaught, which is a blatant threat to international peace and security, and paves the way for the criminals to continue their attacks. Undoubtedly, such a barefaced and double standard approach, as well as contempt for the lives of the Muslims, only leads to hatred and abhorrence of the international community and people with clear conscience, and gives rise to further instability and violence in the volatile region of the Middle East.

  The Lebanese and Palestinian peoples, through their brave resistance, have and will teach an unforgettable lesson to the aggressors and occupiers. And there should be no doubt about the ultimate victory of these two oppressed peoples. Nonetheless, the international community should live up to its responsibilities. The Zionist regime should be held accountable for the consequences of its inhumane aggression, and arrangements should be made to compensate the victims of these atrocities in Palestine and Lebanon.

  Expressing deep concern over the continuation of the current situation, I consider it most likely that an extensive humanitarian disaster in Lebanon will occur if the Security Council chooses to continue its inaction in the face of the ongoing tragedy, and I express alarm about that situation. I earnestly request you to use all your good offices to put an end to the inhumane attacks against the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples. The world community, especially the Muslims across the globe, expect you to carry out your responsibilities under the United Nations Charter and spare no efforts to bring the Zionist regime’s unjust aggression to a halt.

(Signed ) Manouchehr Motaki

Minister for Foreign Affairs, 

the Islamic Republic of Iran

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