Mideast situation/Lebanon – Letter from Lebanon

Letter dated 31 July 1989 from the Deputy Permanent Representative

and Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Lebanon to

the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

On instructions from my Government, I regret to inform you that on Friday, 28 July 1989, at 1 a.m., an Israeli commando unit transported by helicopter entered the village of Jibchit in southern Lebanon and kidnapped Sheikh Abdel Karim Obeid, who was returning to his home, together with two of his relatives, and killed one other inhabitant of the village.

The Lebanese Government condemns this new act of terrorism, which it considers a crime committed by Israel against Lebanon and its residents and a flagrant violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as a shocking attack on the physical well-beinq and dignity of an eminent clergyman, an action that contradicts all human rights and the rules and conventions of international law.

The Lebanese Government holds Israel responsible for the fate of the persons who were abducted and demands their immediate release.

I should be grateful if you would arrange for the text of this letter to be circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under item 37 of the provisional agenda, and of the Security Council.

(Signed) Chawki CHOUERI

Deputy Permanent Representative

and Chargé d'affaires a.i.

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